Chennai: Following heavy rainfall since the Northeast Monsoon began on October 1, Tamil Nadu’s reservoirs are nearing full capacity, with additional rain predicted for Chennai and nearby districts on Wednesday.
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall in coastal areas, stretching from Chennai to Nagapattinam, over the coming days, which could further raise water levels.
As of Tuesday, the water storage in the state’s reservoirs was just 12% below the total capacity of 224.297 thousand million cubic feet (TMC). The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) reported that 12 reservoirs—three in Coimbatore, seven in Madurai, and two in Chennai—are at full capacity. Additionally, 18 reservoirs have surpassed 90% of their total capacity, while 23 reservoirs are between 70% and 80% full.
The Stanley Reservoir at Mettur, the largest in Tamil Nadu, is currently at 97.51% of its capacity, holding 91.146 TMC out of a total of 93.470 TMC. As of Tuesday, it recorded an inflow of 7,368 cusecs and discharged 1,300 cusecs downstream. Meanwhile, the Sathanur Reservoir’s water level is at 117 feet, just shy of its full reservoir level of 119 feet.
Overall, the cumulative water storage across Tamil Nadu’s reservoirs stands at 195.455 TMC, leaving a shortfall of 24.824 TMC from full capacity. The recent heavy rains during the active phase of the Northeast Monsoon have significantly boosted water inflows into the state’s 90 reservoirs, increasing storage levels by 10.68 percentage points, from 76.46% to 87.14%.
Areas such as Tenkasi, Theni, Virudhunagar, Ariyalur, Trichy, Karur, Pudukottai, and Ramanathapuram have experienced downpours that have further elevated water levels. Cyclone Fengal also contributed to unprecedented rainfall in several northern districts, quickly filling tanks and water bodies.
In Tiruvannamalai, 507 out of 697 tanks are now full, along with 359 of 578 tanks in Tiruvallur, 227 of 336 tanks in Kallakurichi, and 460 of 564 tanks in Chengalpattu. However, flooding caused by the cyclone has damaged several tanks and water bodies in northern districts, particularly in Villupuram, leading to the release of water from some tanks to prevent overflow.
WRD officials are currently conducting temporary repairs to address the damage and enhance rainfall capture during this ongoing monsoon season.