Karnataka reservoirs only 34% full, but officials see no crisis

Bengaluru: As the summer bares its fangs across Karnataka, reservoirs in the state are filled only to 34% of their capacity. The Krishna Basin reservoirs are 28% full, hydel 36%, and Cauvery 49%, according to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). But officials say there's no immediate crisis. With drinking water the priority, a chief secretary-led committee will now oversee decisions on releasing water.
Karnataka's reservoir levels this summer show a modest improvement over the past two years, but still fall short of the healthier benchmarks set in 2021. According to official data, Cauvery Basin reservoir currently hold 56 tmc ft of water, 49% of its capacity — a noticeable jump from 29% in 2024 and 40% in 2023, though still below the 53% seen in 2021.
The Krishna Basin reservoirs too, has seen a marginal rise, currently storing 118 tmc ft (28%) of water, better than 24% in 2024 and 25% in 2023, but significantly lower than the 34% recorded four years ago. The Hydel reservoirs have 119.1 tmc ft of water (36%), showing a strong recovery from 22% from last year and surpassing 2023 and 2022 levels, while trailing behind the 45% mark recorded in 2021.
The IMD has been forecasting above normal pre-monsoon rainfall, but the skies have not exactly opened in most parts of the state.
Ram Prasath Manohar, chairman of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), said, "The reservoir levels are less than 50% but that is enough for the city for this summer. It's for sure that the city will definitely not see any water crisis this year."
A senior official from the revenue department said, "At present, the drinking water situation across the state is stable and sufficient. However, to avoid politically-driven decisions, the cabinet has decided that all calls on water release from April will be taken by a committee headed by the chief secretary, replacing the earlier district-level committees, led by ministers. This move ensures drinking water is given top priority during summer. We are also in constant touch with Maharashtra govt to ensure supply to parts of Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura, if needed. If the current spell of rain continues, the situation is expected to improve further, and we don't foresee any major crisis."
As previously reported by TOI in its Oct 1, 2024 edition, despite the state receiving excess rain during the 2024 southwest monsoon, the agricultural sector saw minimal benefits. The monsoon was characterised by short, intense spells rather than sustained showers, leading to run-off and limited water retention in the soil. This pattern resulted in over 60% of the state's lakes remaining less than half-full, highlighting the challenges in water storage and management.
To avoid a repeat of last year's hardships, the revenue department has made agriculture their top priority this year. A senior official added, "If any additional water is required for farming, it will be released based on availability. Last summer took a toll on many plantations, so alongside ensuring drinking water supply, we're paying special attention to the needs of the agricultural sector."
Table:
Reservoir levels in Karnataka
Cantonment
Total capacity
(in tmc ft)
2025 (Full)
2024
2023
2022
2021
Cauvery
115
56 (49%)
33 (29%)
46 (40%)
61 (53%)
42 (37%)
Krishna
422
118 (28%)
102 (24%)
107 (25%)
141 (34%)
115 (27%)
Hydel
328
119 (36%)
72 (22%)
102 (31%)
96 (29%)
149 (45%)
*As on April 19 every year
Source: Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC)