Bihar Faces Water Crisis as Reservoir Levels Drop to 19%, CWC Report

Patna: The water levels in Bihar’s reservoirs have plummeted to alarming levels, with only 19% of water remaining, according to the latest report from the Central Water Commission (CWC). The rapid depletion, exacerbated by an early onset of summer, has placed Bihar among the worst-affected states in the eastern region.

The CWC’s updated nationwide reservoir report highlights a concerning trend across eastern India, where overall water levels have declined compared to last year. While reservoirs in the region held 51% capacity in the same period last year, the current figure has dropped to 46%. Bihar, however, faces the most severe shortfall. Last year, the state’s reservoirs had 32% of their capacity; this year, they are well below the normal threshold of 27%.

The report, which assesses reservoirs in seven eastern states, found that while conditions in Assam, West Bengal and Tripura have improved, Jharkhand and Odisha have seen further depletion. Nagaland has remained unchanged.

Early Summer Escalates the Crisis

Experts attribute the worsening water crisis to an early arrival of summer in Bihar, with temperatures rising nearly 15 days ahead of the usual seasonal shift. The premature heatwave has accelerated the drying of reservoirs, a phenomenon typically seen in June.

The CWC’s report covers 155 reservoirs across the country, including 25 in eastern India. With temperatures expected to rise further, concerns are growing over the state’s ability to manage water availability in the coming months.