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Chennai Flood Alert: Poondi Reservoir Releases 4,000 Cusecs Amid Heavy Rain

Heavy rainfall has pushed the Poondi reservoir close to its full capacity, prompting officials to increase water discharge significantly. The Water Resources Department has issued flood alerts for villages along the Kosasthalaiyar River as a precautionary measure. Residents in low-lying areas like Thiruninravur and Pullarambakkam have been warned to stay away from riverbanks. Emergency teams are on standby while engineers continuously monitor the situation to ensure both reservoir safety and public protection.

Key Points: Poondi Reservoir Discharge Raised to 4000 Cusecs Flood Alert

  • Continuous rainfall and heavy inflow forced discharge increase to 4,000 cusecs
  • Residents in Thiruninravur, Pullarambakkam advised to avoid riverbanks
  • Disaster response teams placed on standby in Tiruvallur and Chennai
  • Reservoir nearing full capacity of 3,231 mcft with 4,070 cusecs inflow
  • Field engineers monitoring water levels and embankments continuously
  • Precautionary measures include desilting drains and readying relief centers
2 min read

TN raises Poondi reservoir discharge to 4,000 cusecs; flood alert issued for villages along Kosasthalaiyar River

Water Resources Department increases Poondi reservoir discharge to 4,000 cusecs, issues flood advisory for villages along Kosasthalaiyar River amid heavy rainfall.

"As a safety measure, we have increased the discharge to 4,000 cusecs to maintain the reservoir's stability - WRD Official"

Chennai, Oct 27

With continuous rainfall and rising inflow into the Poondi Sathyamoorthy Sagar Reservoir, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has increased water discharge to 4,000 cusecs from 8 a.m. on Monday, issuing a precautionary advisory for residents living in low-lying villages along the Kosasthalaiyar River.

Located in Tiruvallur district, the Poondi reservoir is one of Chennai's key drinking water sources. It has a full storage capacity of 3,231 million cubic feet (mcft) at a depth of 35 feet.

Officials said that due to steady rain over the past few days and heavy inflow from upstream sources, the reservoir is nearing its full capacity.

According to WRD engineers, the current inflow stands at 4,070 cusecs, with water arriving from multiple sources -- including the Kesavaram Dam, Ilupair Dam, Poondi Inflow Canal, Kandaleru Canal, and the reservoir's own catchment area.

"As a safety measure, we have increased the discharge to 4,000 cusecs to maintain the reservoir's stability and to accommodate additional inflow if the rains continue," said a senior WRD official.

The department has also alerted district administrations and disaster response teams in Tiruvallur and Chennai, urging them to stay on standby.

Residents in vulnerable stretches, particularly Thiruninravur, Pullarambakkam, and Poondi, have been advised to remain cautious and avoid venturing near riverbanks.

"Field engineers are continuously monitoring the water level, inflow and outflow. People should stay away from the Kosasthalaiyar River and report any unusual water movement immediately to local authorities," the official added.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Corporation and Tiruvallur district administration have initiated precautionary steps, including desilting stormwater drains, inspecting embankments, and readying flood-relief centres in case of emergency evacuations.

The WRD said that further releases from the reservoir would depend on rainfall intensity and inflow levels in the coming days.

"Our aim is to ensure the safety of both the reservoir structure and downstream habitations," officials stated, adding that water levels across the city's other reservoirs -- Chembarambakkam, Red Hills, and Puzhal -- were also being closely watched.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My relatives live in Thiruninravur area. They've already started moving important documents to upper floors. Better safe than sorry! Hope the disaster response teams are properly equipped.
D
David E
While the precautionary measures are appreciated, I wish the government had completed the long-pending desilting work before monsoon. Many stormwater drains in these areas are still clogged with garbage.
S
Shreya B
At least Chennai's reservoirs are getting filled! After water scarcity issues in previous years, this is actually good news for our drinking water supply. Just hope the discharge is managed properly. 💧
A
Arjun K
The coordination between WRD and district administration is crucial. Hope they have proper communication channels with villagers. Many elderly people in these areas might not understand the technical terms like 'cusecs'.
M
Michael C
Living in Chennai for 5 years now, and I've seen how quickly situations can escalate during heavy rains. Good to see authorities being transparent with information and taking preventive action early.

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