Chennai, March 24:
Water inflow to Puzhal Lake has been stopped following the suspension of supply from the Poondi Reservoir, triggering concerns over Chennai’s water availability as the city heads into peak summer.
Puzhal Lake, a key source of drinking water for the city, had been receiving water from Poondi to maintain adequate storage levels. However, officials have now discontinued the inflow in recent days.
According to official data, the lake’s total capacity stands at 3,300 million cubic feet (mcft), with current storage at 2,652 mcft. The water level is recorded at 18.23 feet, against its full level of 21.2 feet.
Officials noted that water release from Poondi had been carried out earlier to stabilise storage levels in Puzhal, but has since been halted.
Despite the stoppage, authorities have assured that drinking water supply to Chennai residents remains uninterrupted. However, experts caution that continued dry weather and rising temperatures could strain reservoir levels in the coming weeks.
Chennai relies heavily on major reservoirs such as Puzhal Lake, Poondi Reservoir, and Chembarambakkam Lake during summer months. Any reduction in inflow or storage could necessitate tighter water management measures if levels decline further.
Officials said the situation is being closely monitored to ensure there is no disruption in water supply across the city, even as temperatures are expected to rise in the coming weeks.