The release of Krishna water this week is likely to bring some relief to a parched city.
The lack of rains last year had put a strain on the city’s four reservoirs, which now store less than 20 per cent of their capacity. This has further increased the dependence on Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir in Andhra Pradesh.
But, the discharge of water from Andhra Pradesh was suspended in mid-April to repair the damaged portion of Kandaleru Poondi canal in Ubbalamadugu in Andhra Pradesh. Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) said that the nearly 80 per cent of the work to provide temporary arrangement has been completed. This would help discharge of Krishna water to the city until the damaged portion is repaired, which would take two more months.
The department expects about 500 cubic feet of water per second to be discharged this week from Andhra Pradesh. One cusec is 28.3 litres of water flowing every second.
“Water in city reservoirs would be enough to supply Chennai till August. Once the Krishna water reaches Poondi reservoir, we will be able to manage the water demand till the onset of northeast monsoon in October,” said an official.
