Reservoirs in Chennai brimming now, WRD does this!!
The reservoirs present in Chennai are full of water due to the rains. In this scenario WRD or Water Resources Department has decided to postpone its decision to seek Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh or AP until February month.
From January, Chennai is due to receive Krishna water from AP is known. It is worthy to mention here that Krishna water would boost the resources in Chennai plus meet the drinking water requirements of the residents. Usually, in 2 spells that is from June to October and from January to April Chennai receives water from Kandaleru reservoir.
Point is that currently 6 water bodies including Veeranam tank in the Cuddalore district have got a combined storage of 11629 million cubic feet or mcft that is 88% of total storage capacity. This is 850mcft more than the combined storage of the reservoirs in 2024. As a result, there might not be water scarcity in Chennai in 2025.
The shutter gates belonging to Poondi reservoir were opened for the second time in the same month on 27th of December. On Monday, 500 cubic feet per sec or cusec of water was discharged and that was because the reservoir received water inflow even now.
According to an official from WRD a request was made to the AP authorities last month as the reservoir was receiving copious amounts of water in the NE monsoon season. He added that WRD would wait for the water levels to reduce in major water bodies and request for Krishna water to be stored in Poondi reservoir.
Since September 2024, Krishna water contributed about 2000 mcft and increased the reservoir`s storage. It is known that the NE monsoons also led to increase in the water storage. The water share that was assured for Chennai from June to October was 8000mcft but the actual water release has been low. The reason for that was due to the monsoon that reduced the immediate need for additional resources.
Information collected is that WRD till now has remitted nearly Rs 1232 cr towards Krishna water supply project and maintenance cost. Just Rs 30 cr is remaining now to be remitted.
