Nagpur District’s key reservoirs are holding significantly more water volume than they did a year ago, offering reassurance over the city’s drinking water availability ahead of the monsoon. Latest figures released by the Water Resources Department as of June 3 show that water stock in reservoirs across the Nagpur Division are in a stronger position compared to the corresponding period in 2025, even as concerns remain over the possible impact of El Niño on rainfall this season. According to the data, the Nagpur Irrigation Division currently has 2,196.30 million cubic metres (Mcum) of live water storage, representing 38.08 per cent of its usable capacity. The division ranks second in Maharashtra after Amravati, which has 39.93 per cent storage. On the same date last year, reservoirs in the Nagpur division held 33.18 per cent water.

 

The good water stock is thanks to extended monsoon during the last year that filled all the dams to the brim. So despite intense summer that leads to significant dip in stock due to evaporation, the healthy stock at start of monsoon period provides hopes that there would be no shortage. The most encouraging figures come from reservoirs that supply drinking water to Nagpur city. Kamptee-Khairy reservoir, part of the Pench water supply system and the city's principal source of drinking water, currently has 78.16 per cent live storage against 70.92 per cent recorded during the corresponding period last year. Water stock in Khindsi reservoir has also registered a substantial improvement, rising to 61.99 per cent from 40.86 per cent a year ago. Navegaon reservoir, which had only 1.77 per cent water available in June 2025, now stands at 11.61 per cent.

 

Totladoh reservoir holds 50.86 per cent live storage compared with 48.98 per cent last year, while Vena reservoir has improved from 23.77 per cent to 26.22 per cent. Across the Nagpur Division, large dams are holding 40.57 per cent of their usable capacity against 32 per cent a year ago. However, medium projects have witnessed a decline to 29.07 per cent from 35.50 per cent, while minor projects stand at 33.39 per cent compared with 38.01 per cent last year. Elsewhere in Maharashtra, Amravati division has the highest reservoir storage at 39.93 per cent, followed closely by Nagpur at 38.08 per cent. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division has 39.53 per cent water availability, while Konkan and Nashik Divisions stand at 32.28 per cent and 32.25 per cent respectively.

 

Pune division has the lowest storage among the six divisions at 31.54 per cent, though this is higher than the 25.58 per cent recorded during the corresponding period last year. At the State-level, Maharashtra’s reservoirs currently contain 19,105.55 Mcum of water, equivalent to 39.92 per cent of total usable storage. This marks a significant improvement over the 30.24 per cent recorded on June 3, 2025. Despite the improved storage position, the State Government has cautioned against complacency. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to undertake careful planning of available water resources to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply until the monsoon inflows.

 

The Chief Minister has also appealed to citizens to use water responsibly and adopt conservation measures in view of the possible impact of El Niño, which is often associated with weaker monsoon conditions and reduced reservoir replenishment. Officials noted that previous El Niño years had led to a sharp decline in reservoir levels across Maharashtra, highlighting the need for prudent water management despite the current comfortable storage levels.