Release water at 500 cusecs: TN to Andhra Pradesh
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has asked Andhra Pradesh govt to release water from Kandaleru reservoir at 500 cubic feet per second (cusecs), up from the current 375 cusecs.
Initially, Andhra Pradesh was releasing water only at 60 cusecs, gradually ramping up over recent weeks. During a recent visit to Andhra Pradesh, WRD officials reiterated their demand, citing the rising water needs of Chennai and its suburbs.
The Sai Ganga Canal, which conveys the water, can handle up to 1,000 cusecs, making the requested increase feasible. WRD estimates that of the 500 cusecs released, around 480 cusecs will reach the zero point after accounting for evaporation losses.
Chennai's water supply remains stable, bolstered by steady inflow from key sources, including the Veeranam tank in Cuddalore, contributing to the city's daily supply of 1,050 million litres via Metrowater. In the past three years, Metrowater did not rely on alternative reserves such as the Sikkarayapuram and Erumaiyur quarries or agricultural wells in Tiruvallur, thanks to favourable monsoons. The recent northeast monsoon added significant rainfall, delaying any need to tap into reserves.
As of Tuesday, the Poondi reservoir holds 1,569 million cubic feet (mcft) against its full capacity of 3,231mcft. Water from Kandaleru is expected to continue flowing until next year, with officials hopeful that the next monsoon will further replenish storage. Part of the Telugu Ganga Project, the Kandaleru reservoir remains crucial to Chennai's long-term water security. WRD maintains that raising the discharge to 500 cusecs is essential to ensure uninterrupted supply in the coming months.
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