CHENNAI: Krishna water reached Poondi reservoir on Saturday night giving some hope to water managers with water levels dropping to less than one tmcft. “Poondi reservoir is now getting 300 cusecs of water from Kandaleru reservoir in Andhra Pradesh. The water flow would be increased to 500 cusecs. The water reached the reservoir on Saturday night,” said a Water Resources Department official.
As per the agreement, Tamil Nadu should receive two tmcft of Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh. “We have received only 336 million cubic feet. We hope Andhra Pradesh continues to supply water to fulfil its obligation,” the source said. The worrying factor for officials is that Krishna water in the 152-km-long Kandaleru-Poondi canal is being tapped by ryots illegally for the second crop. The issue had been raised with Andhra Pradesh following which water was being released under surveillance of policemen so that it did not get diverted.
However, all is not well in Andhra Pradesh too. “There is a demand of water for Andhra Pradesh also. The supply would last till there is adequate water in Kandaleru reservoir,” sources added.
Meanwhile, water managers are looking to groundwater to fulfil the city’s drinking water needs. The city has 200 mld of water through desalination plants on any given day; but, as it is expanding, this quantity
is not adequate.
Officials are now looking at tapping private wells to ensure drinking water.
Ray of hope in forecast
After a dry spell of almost two weeks since November 16, the day when the city received 17.9 mm rainfall and raising concerns of staring at a water crisis with the northeast monsoon playing truant, rainfall activity is in the forecast early next month due to low pressure that is likely to form, offering a ray of hope to the rain-deficit city. According to Met officials, rainfall activity could be expected from December 2 and is likely to last four to five days. Apart from Tamil Nadu, rain is likely to occur over Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and at isolated places over south Andhra Pradesh and south interior Karnataka.
The meteorological analysis on the Met department website said that a low pressure area is very likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal & neighbourhood during next 36 hours and is likely to concentrate into a depression during the subsequent 24 hours.