The Deccan Chronicle 27.08.2010
Reservoirs brimming, no water woes next summerAug. 26: Chennai will not go thirsty for at least another four months and probably even during the summer of 2011 since the recent good rain and the ensuing northeast monsoon are likely to fill up all the city reservoirs.
Already, the main reservoirs supplying water to Chennai - Poondi, Puzhal, Sholavaram and Chembarambakkam – have adequate storage to meet the requirements for the next few months.
The state received 20 per cent more than the average rainfall for the period. The monthly average rainfall readings taken at Red Hills, Sholavaram and Poondi in July show that about 160 mm and 106 mm have been recorded in the catchment areas in May and June 2010. The 160 mm rainfall level recorded in May in particular is the highest for the month in the last six years and second highest for the whole decade.
Given the rainfall pattern so far this year and the current storage levels, Chennaiites can hope for a deficit-free summer even if the ensuing northeast monsoon turns out to be normal. With the monthly water requirement of the city hovering around 1.2 tmcft, water managers confidently say that the existing storage would permit more than normal water supply to the city in the coming months at least.
