WRD urges AP to maintain flow from Kandaleru

“Earlier, we were receiving 450 cubic feet per second (cusecs) to 500 cusecs, but from last week it has reduced to 248 cusecs. The water would be enough (to meet Chennai’s drinking water requirement) if they continue to supply 500 cusecs for 48 days more. Or, if they maintain the flow at 250 cusecs, it should be supplied for 80 days. But if they stop early, we will have trouble in coming days,” said a senior WRD official.

The department has written to the Andhra Pradesh officials to provide about 3,000 million cubic feet (mcft) water, and continue the release for the second spell till April.

However, the official noted that the State won’t have water crisis this summer. “In October 2018, we did not receive 2 TMC, which is the reason why we faced crisis in 2019. Now, even if Andhra reduces supply, we have enough water in the dams in the State. When needed, we can release water from the reservoirs. So we won’t face drought this summer,” assured the official.