The declining level of water in the Vakkaramari lake has sparked concern among the town’s residents, who have urged the municipal administration to take immediate measures to avert a looming water crisis.
Chidambaram and Annamalai Nagar areas depend on the Vakkaramari lake and bore wells at Kollidam for potable water.
V Natarajan of CPM said, “The eastern part of Chidambaram town and Annamalai Nagar get water from bore wells at Kollidam, and the western part from the Vakkaramari lake.” Since there was no inflow, the water in Vakkaramari Lake would barely last for three more weeks, he added.
“Vakkaramari gets water from the Rajan canal. Due to inadequate rainfall this year, the lake did not get filled. Water availability is less now. To make matters worse, Karnataka did not release enough Cauvery water this year. Chidambaram area faces a drinking water scarcity,” he added.
With news of a looming water crisis doing the rounds, Chidambaram’s residents now want the municipal administration to set up bore wells near the Vakkaramari lake bed immediately to ensure continuous drinking water supply.