Concerns over water availability for drinking and irrigation persist in India as water levels in the country’s major reservoirs remain alarmingly low.

Water levels in the country’s 150 major reservoirs are at just 22% of their total capacity. While 28 reservoirs have 50% of normal water storage capacity, 85 reservoirs report about 80% of normal storage, and 65 reservoirs have 80% or below normal storage, according to a bulletin from the Central Water Commission on Thursday.

The central region is among the worst affected, followed by the western region, which is also experiencing significantly low water availability.

In a slightly positive development, water levels have not declined further from the previous week, thanks to the progress of the monsoon in southern India. Prior to this, the water level had consistently dropped for 35 weeks straight.

The monsoon is progressing rapidly in South Peninsula India. After the southwest monsoon made its onset on the Kerala coast on 31 May, one day ahead of its typical date, Bengaluru received its highest single-day rainfall, breaking a 133-year-old record on 2 June. South Peninsula India has received 50% excess rainfall since 1 June.

India’s weather bureau has forecast that the country will likely receive above-normal rainfall at 106% of the long-period average (87 cm) this June-September monsoon season, with the El Niño weather phenomenon turning neutral and benign La Niña conditions setting in by August-September.

Rains during the June-September monsoon season are crucial for India’s economy. The season accounts for nearly 75% of the country’s annual rainfall, which plays a crucial role in agriculture, replenishes reservoirs and aquifers, and helps meet power demand. An estimated 56% of the net cultivated area and 44% of food production depend on these rains.

Data shows the available water level this week in the reservoirs was 38.491 billion cubic meters (BCM), lower than last year’s 48.592 BCM and the average of the previous 10 years’ 41.953 BCM.

Live storage available in the 150 reservoirs as of Thursday was 79% of the corresponding period last year and 92% of the average of the previous 10 years.

The southern regions saw a slight improvement as storage in 42 reservoirs increased marginally to 14% of the 53.334 BCM capacity at 7.568 BCM. A year ago, the level was 22% of capacity and 19% of the 10-year average.

Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi has been named the next Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding General Manoj Pande, the government announced Tuesday night. Dwivedi is currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

The new Army chief will assume his position on June 30, the same day General Pande retires. Last month, the government extended General Pande’s tenure by one month, just six days before his scheduled retirement on May 31, leading to speculation that Lt. Gen. Dwivedi might be passed over for the top role.

In an official statement, the defence ministry said, “The government has appointed Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of June 30.”

Who is Lt Gen Dwivedi?

1) Lt. Gen. Dwivedi has extensive operational experience along the borders with China and Pakistan. Before becoming Vice Chief of Army Staff on February 19, he served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.

2) Born on July 1, 1964, he attended Sainik School in Rewa and was commissioned into the 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles regiment of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. He eventually commanded the unit, according to PTI.

3) Throughout his nearly 40-year career, he has held various command, staff, instructional, and international positions.

4) His command roles include leading the 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles regiment, the 26 Sector Assam Rifles Brigade, serving as Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East), and commanding the 9 Corps.

5) As a Lieutenant General, he has held significant roles such as Director General Infantry. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.

6) As Northern Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Dwivedi provided strategic direction and operational oversight for planning and conducting operations along the northern and western borders and coordinated counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

7) He is actively involved in ongoing negotiations with China to resolve the border issue.

8) He played a key role in modernizing and equipping the largest Army command in the Indian Army, steering the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

9) An alumnus of the National Defence College and the US Army War College, Lt. Gen. Dwivedi has also completed courses at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Army War College, Mhow.

10) He holds an MPhil in defence and management studies and master’s degrees in strategic studies and military science.

India dropped two places to 129th in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap index. According to the rankings released on June 12, Iceland remained at the top.

In South Asia, India ranked fifth, while Pakistan was last among neighboring countries—Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the WEF noted only a slight improvement in the global gender gap. “The @wef’s Global #GenderGap24 report is now live. It shows only a slight improvement in the global gap, with parity still five generations away at current rates of progress. However, in a historical election year, improving the #political participation of #women could have a significant impact,” it stated.

Globally, among 146 economies, Sudan was last, with Pakistan at 145th, falling three spots this year.

India was among the countries with the lowest levels of economic equality, alongside Bangladesh, Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, and Morocco, all registering less than 30 percent gender parity in estimated earned income. The report also showed declines in ‘Educational Attainment’ and ‘Political Empowerment,’ with India falling two spots from 127th last year.

“Despite some bright spots, the slow and incremental gains highlighted in this year’s Global Gender Gap Report underscore the urgent need for a renewed global commitment to achieving gender parity, particularly in economic and political spheres,” WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi was quoted by PTI.