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6.30 Figure 20 shows the capacity at full reservoir levels in 138 monitored reservoirs of India
along with the live storage during June-December 2021, June 2020–May 2021, and the ten
year average during the months of June – May. It may be seen that reservoir live storage is at
its peak during monsoon months and lowest in summer months, requiring careful planning and
coordination of storage, release and utilization of reservoirs. This is also reflected in Figure 21.
Figure 21: Reservoir fill (per cent of total capacity), 2021
20 June 2021 22 August 2021
th
nd
24 October 2021 19 December 2021
th
th
Reservoir fill (%)
> 90% 70% - 90% 50% - 70% < 50%
Source: India Water Resources Information System, Ministry of Jal Shakti
Rivers
6.31 India has several perennial and seasonal rivers. The Ganga River Basin is the largest river
basin in India, covering more than a quarter of country’s land area, hosting about 43 per cent of
its population and contributing 28 per cent of India’s water resources. In recognition of River
Ganga’s significant economic, environmental, cultural and religious value, the Government of
