Indore: The city has crossed the halfway mark of the monsoon season, yet the city is still waiting for the sustained rain needed to recharge its reservoirs. Since June 1, the district has recorded only 439.3 mm of rainfall, which is just 46% of its average seasonal rainfall of 946.5 mm.With nearly six weeks of the monsoon still remaining, the city requires more than 500 mm of additional rainfall to reach its normal seasonal average.The southwest monsoon made a promising start in early July, with the city receiving over 200 mm of rain during the first week alone. But rain activity weakened significantly thereafter. Over the past several weeks, only scattered light showers have been recorded, pushing the district well below its normal rain for this time of the year.The shortfall has begun to affect the city’s major water sources. According to Indore Municipal Corporation data, Yashwant Sagar, the primary drinking water reservoir, currently has a water level of 12.8 feet, well below its capacity. Bilawali pond has a water level of 9.6 feet, Bada Sirpur stands at 10.9 feet, Chhota Sirpur has 13 feet of water, while Pipliyapala has 5.5 feet. Chhota Bilawali remains completely dry.The India Meteorological Department recorded only a trace of rain on Sunday. The maximum temperature settled at 29.3 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 22.4 degrees Celsius. Met officials said no strong weather system is currently active over the region, reducing the likelihood of widespread heavy rain over the next few days. Cloudy skies and intermittent light showers are expected to continue.Officials are keeping a close watch on reservoir levels. If rain remains below normal through the rest of Aug, water storage may not improve sufficiently, increasing concern over drinking water availability in the coming months.
