Thu Jan 30 19:40:18 UTC 2025: **Chennai Reservoir Remains Full, Shutters Open into February**

CHENNAI, January 31, 2025 – Poondi reservoir, Chennai’s primary water source, continues to overflow well after the end of the northeast monsoon season. Unusually heavy rainfall, extending until January 27th, has resulted in sustained inflow from the Kosasthalaiyar, Nagari, and Nandiyar rivers. The reservoir, previously low on water, is now at 100% capacity, with a surplus of 450 cubic feet per second (cusecs) being released into the Kosasthalaiyar river.

This marks the fifth consecutive year of water release from Poondi during the northeast monsoon, but this year’s discharge has been exceptionally prolonged, lasting almost until the end of January. The Water Resources Department (WRD) attributes the high water levels to saturated groundwater and floodwater from catchment areas like Tiruttani. Total storage has reached 10,442 million cubic feet (82% of combined capacity), boosted by diverted Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh.

The WRD has also undertaken maintenance, replacing two unused sand vent shutters to improve storage and prevent sedimentation. While January releases have occurred since 2021, this year’s extended discharge is prompting calls for increased water conservation measures. Water experts are urging investment in new projects to manage the changing inflow patterns and increased floodwater. Proposals to raise the reservoir’s height by two feet and to create a new reservoir at Ramanjeri are under review by the state government. Additional check dams are also being considered to improve water retention.

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