Krishna water to trickle into Poondi reservoir today

Chennai: Water managers in the city are delighted, as water, released from Kandaleru reservoir in Andhra Pradesh, reached zero point near Uthukottai and is expected to trickle into Chennai's parched Poondi reservoir on Saturday. Most importantly, the AP irrigation officials have stepped up release of water from 200 cusecs to 1,700 cusecs.

According to public works department (water resources department), water reached interstate border on Thursday late night. Since AP officials increased the release of quantum of water, the flow is picking up in the Kandaleru-Poondi canal. Officials keep a tab on water pilferage.

“We are aware of the fact that the Poondi reservoir has hardly 10 million cubic feet (mcft) against its total capacity of 3,231. In such a condition, we already wrote a letter seeking release of Krishna water under Telugu-Ganga accord,” said a PWD official. Sensing the situation, the AP irrigation officials started release of water from Kandaleru reservor, which also received water from Sirislam dam.

G. Vijayakumar, an executive engineer, PWD, Kosasthalaiyar Basin, told Deccan Chronicle, said there is a high possibility that water would reach Poondi reservoir on Saturday. 

“The AP irrigation officials have gradually stepped up quantum of water released from Kandaleru reservoir,” he said, hoping that the officials might still increase the level of releasing water.

When contacted, a senior PWD official exuded confidence that the AP irrigation officials have assured of providing at least 2 tmc feet of water in the coming days.

Meanwhile, officials from Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) are on cloud nine. “There is no acute water scarcity as of now and Krishna water to reservoir is adding a shot in the arm for us to manage the water crisis, if any,” said an official, seeking anonymity.