Chennai: With the Northeast Monsoon intensifying over Tamil Nadu, Chennai’s primary water reservoirs are witnessing a significant surge in inflow, prompting authorities to take preemptive measures. The Chembarambakkam Lake, a major water source for the city, is rapidly approaching its full capacity of 24 feet, leading the water board to increase surplus water discharge to 500 cubic feet per second (cusecs) as a precautionary step.

The lake’s water level stood at 20.84 feet as of 8 AM today, leaving just over 3 feet to reach its maximum level. The current inflow has surged to 2,170 cusecs, a substantial increase from yesterday’s 1,800 cusecs, indicating the lake could fill completely in the coming days. This has triggered flood warnings for low-lying areas along the Adyar River.

In response to the rising water levels, the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has escalated its water release strategy. Initially, 100 cusecs of surplus water was being discharged from the lake, primarily flowing into the Adyar River. However, following consultations between Public Works Department officials and the district administration, it was decided to increase the discharge to 500 cusecs starting from 10 AM today.

A formal flood alert has been issued for residents in low-lying areas including Kundrathur, Thiruneermalai, and Thirumudivakkam. Authorities have advised people living along the riverbanks to remain vigilant and move to safer locations as a precaution. The lake has a massive discharge capacity of 33,060 cusecs, though the current release is being managed cautiously.

The increasing inflow into Chembarambakkam is further supported by its catchment areas, where upstream lakes including Sriperumbudur, Pillaipakkam, and Nemam are also filling up rapidly. Officials are monitoring the situation closely, as any additional release from these feeder lakes could further accelerate Chembarambakkam’s filling rate.

This substantial inflow marks a significant improvement in Chennai’s water security. Chembarambakkam Lake, with a full capacity of 3.645 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC), serves as the main water source for southern and central zones of Chennai, including areas like Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Adyar, Velachery, and several suburban municipalities and industrial estates. The controlled water release strategy aims to balance reservoir safety with the long-term water needs of the city.