Sun Mar 16 17:09:58 UTC 2025: ## Chennai’s Water Woes: NGO Report Highlights City’s Vulnerability to Floods and Droughts

**Chennai, March 16, 2025** – A new study by the Arappor Iyakkam NGO has revealed significant flaws in Chennai’s water management system, leaving the city vulnerable to both severe flooding and droughts. The report, submitted to government departments and the Chennai Corporation, highlights inadequate storage infrastructure as a major contributing factor to the city’s recurring water crises.

The study points to the Kosasthalaiyar, Cooum, and Adyar rivers, along with the Pallikaranai marsh, as key areas of concern. Despite an average annual rainfall of 1,400 mm, the report claims that insufficient storage capacity results in significant water loss, leading to flooding during monsoon season and severe water shortages during dry periods. The NGO recommends several key interventions, including large-scale desilting of lakes and ponds, improved rainwater harvesting, restoration of waterbodies, and the implementation of decentralized sewage treatment plants.

The report also emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive water management policy, stricter regulations on waste disposal into waterbodies, improved rainfall forecasting, and the development of new climate models to predict extreme weather events. The study suggests that by implementing these measures, Chennai could retain up to 80% of its rainfall as groundwater.

The Arappor Iyakkam also highlights the city’s declining green cover due to rapid urbanization, contributing to increased surface runoff and poor groundwater recharge. The NGO advocates for afforestation initiatives, including the Miyawaki method, to restore ecological balance.

While the NGO’s findings paint a concerning picture, officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation contest some of the claims, citing ongoing water management initiatives such as desilting of canals and the implementation of green and grey infrastructure projects. However, environmental experts like Care Earth Trust managing trustee Jayshree Vencatesan emphasize the need for drastic measures, including the potential demolition of structures built around waterbodies, to address the issue effectively. The debate underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to ensure Chennai’s water security in the face of climate change.

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