Nagpur: Amid fears of El Nino and ongoing heatwave, water levels in large dams of Nagpur and Amravati divisions, representing East and West Vidarbha, stood at 41.27% and 41.35% on May 29. This is 10% higher compared to the same period last year in Nagpur, while Amravati dams hold 4% more water than last year, according to data compiled by the state's Water Resources Department (WRD).
Detailed Analysis of Dam Levels
The level in Totladoh dam, which supplies water to Nagpur, is 51%, slightly lower than 54% on the same date last year. Medium-scale dams in Nagpur division are at 30% this year, compared to 33% last year, while in Amravati division, the level remains the same at 38%. Small dams in Nagpur are 34% full and in Amravati 41%, down from 38% and 42% respectively last year. The average level across all three categories of dams in Nagpur stands at 38% this year, 6% higher than last year. In Amravati, it is 41% compared to 38% last year.
Statewide and Regional Comparisons
The level in all 3,028 large, medium, and small dams across Maharashtra was almost unchanged from last year, at 29.06% on Friday versus 29.48% last year. WRD classifies dams by capacity. There are 26 large dams in Nagpur and Amravati divisions combined, with a total water volume of 3,776 million cubic metres (MCM). Gosikhurd, the largest project in Vidarbha, has a water level of 38.88% against a capacity of 1,148 MCM, a significant improvement from 17.74% last year. Bawanthadi, which had no water on May 29, 2025, is now 15% full. In Amravati, Nalganga dam holds 41.27% water, 3% more than last year. Chhatrapati Sambaji Nagar division (formerly Aurangabad), a drought-prone area, has a better position this year with 31% water in its dams compared to 29% last year.
Expert Concerns and Precautions
The dam levels reported by WRD include dead stock, which is water stored below the outlet gates. Sachin Kulkarni, a water conservation activist, noted that despite higher levels, there are apprehensions about El Nino's impact, especially in Western Vidarbha, where better water management through canal and distribution systems is needed.
