Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Gujarat Reservoirs Gain After Rain but Trail Last Year
Gujarat received rain for two days after a long dry spell.
The rain added a large amount of water to the state’s reservoirs.
Storage rose by more than three percent overall.
However, the reservoirs still contain less water than they did at the same time last year.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is nearly full and can help supply water to much of Gujarat.
South Gujarat has more water than many other regions.
Saurashtra, North Gujarat, Central Gujarat and Kutch remain in a weaker position.
Opposition parties had asked for help for farmers because of drought concerns.
The new rain offers some hope, but water shortages remain a concern in several areas.
Gujarat’s 207 reservoirs gained 603.07 million cubic metres after 48 hours of rain.
Overall storage reached 78.41%, but remained 13.88% below September 15, 2025 levels.
Sardar Sarovar Dam was 95.42% full, supported by inflows from Madhya Pradesh.
South Gujarat’s reservoirs were 82.40% full, while Saurashtra’s were only 49.65% full.
Kutch recorded the sharpest decline from last year, with storage down 70.75%.
- Who
- Gujarat’s reservoir authorities, farmers and residents dependent on the state’s water supplies.
- What
- The state’s reservoirs gained 603.07 million cubic metres after 48 hours of rain but remained below last year’s storage levels.
- When
- The increase occurred between September 13 and September 15, following rain since Sunday.
- Where
- Across Gujarat, with especially uneven conditions in South Gujarat, Saurashtra, North Gujarat, Central Gujarat and Kutch.
- Why
- Rain and inflows raised reservoir levels, while an earlier dry spell and regional rainfall deficits left storage below last year’s levels.
Drought Concerns
Rainfall Relief
Need for immediate support
Drought Concerns
Opposition parties argued in the Gujarat Assembly that the possible drought situation required relief measures for farmers.
Rainfall Relief
Recent rainfall raised reservoir storage and provided a temporary improvement in water availability.
Statewide water position
Drought Concerns
Several regions, especially Saurashtra and Kutch, remained far below last year’s storage levels.
Rainfall Relief
Sardar Sarovar Dam was nearly full, while South Gujarat’s reservoirs were above 80% full.
- Total reservoirs
- Gujarat has 207 reservoirs, including Sardar Sarovar Dam.
- Overall storage
- Storage increased from 19,200.30 MCM to 19,803.37 MCM, reaching 78.41%.
- Year-on-year deficit
- Overall storage was 13.88%, or 3,191.45 MCM, below September 15, 2025 levels.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam
- The dam was 95.42% full, holding 9,027.10 MCM on September 15.
- South Gujarat
- Its 13 reservoirs were 82.40% full and gained 366.24 MCM from the recent rain.
- Saurashtra
- Its 141 reservoirs were 49.65% full and remained 43.23% below last year’s storage.
- Kutch
- Storage fell from 277.22 MCM last year to 81.09 MCM, a 70.75% decline.