CHENNAI: Chennai is on the verge of severe water crisis as the four reservoirs supplying water to the city has water for only 25 days. The TN public works department has approached its counterpart in Andhra Pradesh to release 4tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of Krishna water at the earliest, while Metrowater has drawn up a contingency plan, that includes use of agriculture wells in Tiruvallur district to quench the thirst of the city with eight million.
This day last year, there was enough water in the reservoirs at Chembarambakkam, Red Hills, Poondi and Cholavaram to serve the city for nine months. On Monday, there was less than one month's supply left in the reservoirs. If the northeast monsoon does not revive fast and the water managers were unable to ensure water from the Krishna river, the problem will only intensify.
"At least 30mcft [million cubic feet] is drawn by Metrowater a day and the existing storage may not last a month. The state PWD is requesting AP to release four tmcft and restrict the inflow to ensure the farmers along the route don't pump out water for agriculture use," said a senior government official. As per the agreement between the two states, Andhra Pradesh has to supply 12tmcft of water from the Kandaleru reservoir to Poondi, but has supplied only 0.340tmcft since October 18. There has been a fluctuation of inflow between 110 cusecs and 385 cusecs (cubic feet of water per second) during the last few days.
Water managers hope the neighbouring state will maintain the required level. "Our requirement is 1tmcft a month for Chennai. If we get 1tmcft a month of Krishna water, it should be more than enough to maintain the current level of supply. The rain may come and that will replenish the supply. Currently, there is no question of alternate day supply," another official said.
If Krishna water supply fails, Metrowater will resort to reducing supply. A decision will be taken by the end of December. "Currently, the supply from desalination plants, water from Neyveli mines and Paravanar river is doing the job. As part of the contingency plan, if required, we will start drawing water from Veeranam tank, where we are building up. In short notice, we can also start drawing water from agriculture wells of Tiruvallur," the official added.
