Chennai, Oct 22:
Chennai’s drinking water reservoirs are holding nearly 50 per cent less water than during the corresponding period last year, raising hopes that the northeast monsoon will replenish the lakes and ensure adequate supply in the coming months.
The six major reservoirs supplying Chennai — Poondi, Red Hills, Chembarambakkam, Cholavaram, Kannankottai-Thervoykandigai and Veeranam — have a combined capacity of 13.222 thousand million cubic feet (TMC). Their total storage stood at 5.139 TMC on Wednesday morning, compared with 9.738 TMC during the same period last year.
Heavy intermittent rain over Chennai and its suburbs in the past three days has increased inflows into the reservoirs. With the northeast monsoon gaining strength, officials expect further rainfall to improve storage levels.
As of Wednesday morning, Red Hills reservoir held 2.248 TMC of water, against its total capacity of 3.3 TMC. Chembarambakkam had 1.435 TMC, while Poondi held 468 million cubic feet. Veeranam also had 468 million cubic feet, with an inflow of 340 cusecs.
Meanwhile, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has reduced daily water supply to 42 million litres. Officials said the ongoing monsoon and available resources would help maintain adequate supply to residents.
The extent of recovery in the reservoirs will depend on the amount of rainfall received in the catchment areas over the coming weeks.