Water You Gonna Do? Poondi's Aqua Acrobatics Keep Chennai on Its Toes

Chennai's lifeline water source for the past eight decades, Poondi Reservoir, is now facing dwindling inflow. The water level in the reservoir today stands at 34.05 feet against its capacity of 35 feet, leading authorities to open 1,000 cusecs through excess shutters. This has resulted in flood warnings in surrounding villages along the Kosasthalaiyar river. Meanwhile, the Chennai Water Resources Department is considering proposals to convert city lakes into sources of drinking water in a bid to increase storage capacity by 21 tmcft to address rising demand. The developments reflect the continued challenge to balance flood management and water supply in the fast-growing metropolis.
Sources: The Economic Times, CMWSSB, The New Indian Express