Discharge from AP dams ups level in Poondi

TN Public Works Department (WRD) officials say that the discharge from Andhra Pradesh has resulted in rise in storage in the Poondi reservoir. Meanwhile, storage in all the metro water lakes is inching towards the 1tmcft mark. 

According to PWD officials, as there was a meagre precipitation in and around Poondi reservoir in Tiruvallur district even during the south west monsoon period, the water facility touched dead storage a few months ago. As a result, acute water crisis prevailed in Chennai and neighbouring districts. 

Efforts to get Krishna water also failed as AP officials denied citing poor storage.K Vijayakumar, Executive Engineer, Kosasthalaiyar Basin, PWD, told DT Next, “On Thursday morning, the inflow was around 750 cusecs and later it dipped to around 300 cusecs.” 

However, the present arrival would push up the level in Poondi reservoir at least by 1 feet and as of now it has around 200 million cubic feet against the full capacity of 3,231 mcft. S Mani, Superintending Engineer, Palar Basin Circle, Chennai Region, PWD, said that both Lava and Kusa reservoirs have nearly reached full level. So, the excess quantum was being released and it was flowing into the state via Kosasthalaiyar. 

Meanwhile, officials from Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) expressed confidence that the present storage would help meet Chennai city’s demands till the onset of north-east monsoon. “The quantity available in lakes at present will be enough to cater to the needs of the city for one more month,” said an official.

Vellore district received 85.5 mm rain in the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Thursday. This has increased the water level in as many as 45 tanks. Another 13 of the 519 tanks have 75% storage with another 41 reaching the half way mark, PWD officials revealed on Thursday. Ambur town continued to be lashed by heavy rain on Wednesday recording 56.2 mm followed by Tirupatthur with 22.3 mm. Sholingur, Arkonam and Vaniyambadi recorded 4 mm, 2 mm and 1 mm, respectively.