37% Evaporation Loss For Nagpur Divn Dams By Aug 31: WRD Study The Water Resources Department (WRD) has issued a warning that nearly 37% of the planned water utilisation in the Nagpur division could be lost to evaporation by August 31, citing the looming impact of the "Super El Nino" phenomenon and prolonged heatwaves in Vidarbha. According to an internal review note accessed by The Times of India, authorities project that 245.69 million cubic metres (Mcum) of water will be lost to evaporation, with additional losses allocated for irrigation, drinking purposes, and industrial use. The department estimates that 655.52 Mcum of water will be utilised across six districts—Nagpur, Wardha, Gondia, Bhandara, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli—between May 1 and August 31. Current reservoir storage in the Nagpur regional division, managed by the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC), stands at 2,232.49 Mcum, which is 541.51 Mcum higher than the same period last year. However, projections indicate that storage levels may drop to 1,627.46 Mcum by September 1 after accounting for water allocations for drinking, irrigation, industrial use, and evaporation. A senior department official noted that the evaporation loss estimates were based on historical data and previous reservoir trends, highlighting the growing concern over water scarcity amid extreme weather conditions. The review note emerged during a "Heat Wave Preparedness and Water Scarcity 2026" meeting chaired by the divisional commissioner on May 14. Officials assessed reservoir conditions across the districts, which are expected to face below-normal rainfall and extended dry spells during the monsoon season.#nagpur_district #nagpur_division #water_resources_department #vidarbha_irrigation_development_corporation #super_el_nino
