Chennai Delays Krishna Water Request as Reservoirs Reach Full Capacity
In a welcome reprieve for Chennai’s water supply, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has postponed its request to Andhra Pradesh for the release of Krishna water. This delay, which is set until February, comes on the back of the city’s reservoirs being at near full capacity. The combined storage across Chennai’s six major water bodies, including the Veeranam tank in Cuddalore, has reached an impressive 11,629 million cubic feet (mcft), a significant 88% of their total storage capacity. This marks an increase of nearly 850 mcft over last year, alleviating immediate concerns about potential water scarcity in the city.
Krishna water plays a critical role in supplementing Chennai’s water supply, particularly during the dry months between June and October and again from January to April. Chennai typically receives water from the Kandaleru reservoir through two annual discharges. However, the recent surplus inflows during the Northeast monsoon and the filling of city reservoirs have diminished the immediate need for additional supplies from Andhra Pradesh. Officials from the WRD noted that Poondi reservoir’s gates had to be opened twice in December to release surplus water, with 500 cusecs being discharged on December 27.
The WRD had initially planned to request the release of Krishna water earlier in the month, but due to the unexpected surplus in local reservoirs, the department chose to defer this request. This strategic decision is expected to allow the city to conserve Krishna water reserves for the upcoming dry months. Officials emphasized that once water levels begin to recede, they will resume negotiations with Andhra Pradesh authorities to secure the necessary discharge. Since September 23 of the previous year, Krishna water has already contributed nearly 2,000 mcft to the city’s reservoirs, complementing rainfall from the Northeast monsoon.
From a sustainability perspective, Chennai’s ability to manage its water resources effectively plays a pivotal role in ensuring long-term urban resilience. The city’s water scarcity issues have often been exacerbated by over-reliance on external sources such as Krishna water. This year’s improved reservoir levels highlight the potential for better water management practices, including rainwater harvesting, efficient storage systems, and the rehabilitation of older water infrastructure. The city has made strides in restoring the Kandaleru-Poondi canal, improving water flow, and reducing seepage losses, but much more remains to be done to achieve water security in the face of climate uncertainty.
Chennai’s water resources infrastructure remains crucial to the city’s growth and sustainability. While the government has committed significant funds towards Krishna water projects—nearly Rs 1,232 crore since inception—the next phase of improvement works, particularly for the KP canal, is still pending. These upgrades aim to boost the efficiency of water transport and ensure a reliable supply for the growing urban population. As Chennai faces rapid urbanization, ensuring water sustainability through better management, infrastructure, and partnerships is becoming more essential than ever.
