Chembarambakkam Lake dries up completely after 15 years

The largest lake that caters to the water needs of Chennai, Chembarambakkam, dries up after 15 years. The officers have planned to tackle with this grim situation by taking water from agricultural wells and quarries. 

With the sharp decline in its water level, Chennai has stopped sourcing water from Chembarambakkam, like it did with Cholavaram lake, 10 days ago. Chembarakkam now provides only 6 cubic metres for the Sriperumbudur's SIPCOT daily.

Things with Puzhal and Poondi too is piteous. Poondi lake now just has 153 million cubic feet and Puzhal has 57 million cubic feet of water, with its capacity being 3,231 million cubic feet and 3,300 million cubic feet respectively.

The public has demanded to expedite the irrigation of Chembarambakkam, for which Rs 191 crores was funneled this February. The irrigation will be done on 6,303 metres in breadth and one metre in depth. It is to be noted that the maintenance of Poondi lake is underway.