CHENNAI: With Cyclone Nivar bringing heavy rain to Chennai since Monday night, Lake Chembarambakkam received an influx of almost 200 cusecs of water.
The lake is now 79% full. The storage level stands at 2,913 mcft compared to its total capacity of 3,645 mcft.
“Although it has rained a lot in Chennai, the Chembarambakkam catchment areas did not receive much rain. Its depth is now 21.2 feet and we will release some water only after it reaches 22 feet,” said a Public Works Department official.
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The chief minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami, issued orders Tuesday to release the water for public safety as soon as it crosses 22 feet. “The total capacity is 24 feet. As of now, the meteorological department says that the rains will only be there for another two days. When there is continuous rain, the excess water must be evacuated. But the decision to release water depends on the amount of rain in the next few days, “said Palaniswami.
The PWD official said at least 36 hours of heavy rain is required and residents need not worry. The necessary precautions have been taken to release the water in phases and not cause flooding, as in 2015.
Revenue Management Commissioner K Phanindra Reddy noted that when there is heavy rain, the entrance to Lake Chembarambakkam would be around 6,500 cusecs only and this can be easily diverted to the Adyar River. Since the Adyar River has the capacity to carry 60,000 cusecs of water, people need not fear flooding. Also, people would be hinted in advance about the release of water from Lake Chembarambakkam, if the government decides to do so.
The government has also stopped pouring Krishna water into Chembarambakkam Lake on Monday. Another source of the lake is excess water from the Sriperumbudur and Palliapakkam tanks. If the intensity continues, officials expect they will have to release water Wednesday night.
The water level of the other three reservoirs, including Poondi, Sholavaram, and Red Hills, is 1786 mcft, 178 mcft, and 2,422 mcft respectively.
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