Heavy rain prompts flood alert in and around Chennai
Rising level of city’s drinking water reservoir a concern
The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department yesterday issued a flood alert in the suburbs of Chennai following heavy rains and given that the Poondi or Sathyamurthy Sagar Reservoir, which is the main drinking water source for Chennai, is expected to reach its full capacity.
With the rising water level, the reservoir has commenced releasing surplus water since 2pm yesterday.
The department has already informed the administration of Tiruvallur district to relocate people living close to the banks of the Kosathaliyar river, including people living downstream in Manali and Ennore.
According to a department statement, the Poondi dam has a storage level height of 35 feet and with the water expected to touch a height of 34 feet, surplus water would be discharged.
The water level had touched 33.95 feet yesterday and any further increase would necessitate more water to be released in phases.
The weather department also forecast heavy rains today in Chennai and suburbs like Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur districts.