New Delhi: In a significant step towards enhancing water resource management, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, launched the Web-Based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal in New Delhi today. The portal, developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC), aims to streamline the monitoring of live storage capacity across the country’s major reservoirs.
Currently, CWC monitors the live storage capacity of 161 important reservoirs, issuing a weekly bulletin every Thursday. These reservoirs have a total live storage capacity of 182.375 billion cubic meters (BCM), accounting for approximately 70.74% of the total estimated storage capacity created in India. The bulletin is sent to key stakeholders, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), the Ministry of Power (MoP), the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MOA&FW), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), disaster management authorities, and state governments. It is also publicly accessible on the CWC website.
The newly launched RSMS portal represents a major technological advancement. Unlike the current system, which relies on manual processes to generate graphs, charts, and tables for the bulletin, the RSMS portal will automate data analysis, generating visual representations and issuing the final bulletin with a single click after data entry. Additionally, the portal allows the general public to access real-time storage status for individual reservoirs, specific states, or the entire country. Users can also download the weekly bulletin directly from the portal.
“Accurate and real-time reservoir storage data is critical for making informed decisions on water allocation for domestic, agricultural, power generation, navigation, and recreational uses. This portal ensures greater transparency and efficiency in managing our water resources,” said Union Minister C.R. Patil during the launch event.
Live storage data plays a crucial role in assessing water security across India and helps authorities plan agricultural activities accordingly. Given that agriculture remains a primary source of livelihood for a significant portion of the population, especially in rural areas, reservoirs serve as a critical source of irrigation. By storing water during wet periods and enabling regulated releases during dry spells, they ensure a steady water supply for crops and mitigate the impact of droughts.
Moreover, reservoirs contribute to managing extreme weather patterns, which have become increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change. By providing a buffer against water scarcity, they help secure the country’s food production and economic stability.
