Cyclone Fani shatters city’s hopes for heavy rainfall

As per the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) date, Poondi, Cholavaram, Redhills and Chembarambakkam lakes collectively had a mere 390 million cubic feet (mcft) of water as on April 26. This time last year, the lakes had 3,665 mcft of water. But now, the total combined capacity of the lakes is 11,257 mcft.

Even though the lakes have reached dead storage levels, the CMWSSB is drawing water from them using motors to supply to the city.

“Our apartment complex has three borewells, but we get water only from one now as the water levels have fallen deep,” said A Senthil, a resident of Kodambakkam. “Since Metrowater supply is insufficient, we need a good wet spell to recharge the groundwater. When we heard about the cyclonic formation in the sea, we expected heavy rainfall,” he said.

Presently, the CMWSSB is drawing water from Veeranam lake, which has a storage of 1282.67 mcft, thanks to water released from Mettur Dam. “We also draw water from abandoned quarries in Sikkarayapuram and desalination plants in Minjur and Nemmeli,” an official said.