Chennai reservoir storage drops sharply, borewells dry up: experts

Chennai's combined water storage in the Red Hills, Poondi, Sholavaram, Kannankottai Thervaikandigai, Chembarambakkam reservoirs and the Veeranam tank stood at 5,473 million cubic feet (mcft) on Sunday, a drop of 2,730 mcft from the 8,202 mcft recorded on the same day last year. With the city's water demand at 1 TMC per month, the current storage is expected to ensure supply for the next four months. Prolonged heat and low rainfall have left borewells in many areas dry, and experts say only the northeast monsoon will help recharge the groundwater table. The city's Metrowater has increased supply while awaiting the monsoon. A hydrogeologist noted that heatwave conditions typically ease after 'agni nakshatram' in the last week of May, but this year's rainfall pattern has been different, according to experts.