Water levels in the 166-odd reservoirs across the country dipped below normal levels (the average of the past 10 years) for the first time this season during the week ended July 2, as the monsoon continued its weak run throughout June.

Though rains have picked up in the past few days and the reservoirs have once again started filling up, how much they eventually fill will depend on the extent of rainfall in July and August.

During the week ended July 2, water levels in the 166 reservoirs dropped to 47.72 BCM (billion cubic metres), down from 78.07 BCM during the corresponding period last year and lower than the 10-year average of 48.40 BCM.