Active monsoon conditions have boosted rainfall in several states like Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Parts of western Tamil Nadu like Nilgiris and Coimbatore have been witnessing fairly widespread rains during the last few weeks. Though Namma Chennai is yet to receive such bountiful rains, convective rainfall for a few days brought some relief.
Chennai, the sixth largest city in the country, has been facing severe water crisis since May. The four reservoirs that supply water to the city have gone dry.
Groundwater levels have receded. Chennai’s water scarcity drew global attention and even Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio shared a post on his Instagram account highlighting the plight of the people in the state. DiCaprio said, “Only rain can save Chennai from this situation.”
Multiple factors like below-normal monsoon rainfall, rapid population growth, poor upkeep of water bodies and faulty water management practices have driven the city to the edge.
The sudden showers that lashed city in June-end broke the dry spell that lasted over six months, bringing joy to residents. Chennai experienced thunderstorms for some days and recorded 56 per cent above normal rainfall. It recorded 247.5 mm rainfall between June 1 and July 27. Chennai's deficit dropped to 6-7 per cent. The normal rainfall that Chennai receives every year from southwest monsoon is 159.1 mm. However, Chennai's reservoirs have not seen any significant improvement in water levels. Weather experts point out that SW monsoon has been ushering in rain in July for the last few years. These showers, coming after scorching summer, may prevent plummeting groundwater levels.
Stress has been laid on rainwater harvesting and several houses and multi-storied apartments have cleaned up their RWH structures. However, inspection by corporation and metro water officials found that almost 50 per cent of houses in Chennai don't have RWH structures. Several apartments continue to ration water as private tankers supplying water to them have not reduced their rates. With NE monsoon likely to set in by October-end, Chennai continues to be dependent on desalination plants, quarries, agricultural wells and water trains.
Having learnt the water lessons the hard way, Chennai must stop indiscriminate groundwater extraction and unplanned urban development and focus on rainwater harvesting, besides protecting water bodies.
