01 October,2026 10:14 AM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondent
The prolonged hot conditions have been attributed to the influence of El Nino, adding to concerns over the depletion of reservoir supplies. Pic/ IANS
Water storage in Tamil Nadu's 90 dams has fallen to about 34 per cent of their combined capacity, raising concerns over irrigation and drinking water supplies as persistent heat leaves 63 reservoirs with less than a quarter of their capacity.
The dams, maintained by the Water Resources Department, can collectively hold 224 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water. However, their current storage stands at just 76.4 tmcft, highlighting mounting pressure on water resources across several districts, IANS reported.
Built across various rivers, these reservoirs support agriculture, supply drinking water and meet electricity generation requirements. Many are located in the Western Ghats, where they also serve as important water sources for wildlife and birds.
Of the 90 dams, 63 are facing severely depleted storage, with water levels below 25 per cent of their capacity. Some have little usable water remaining, exposing accumulated mud and silt. Storage in 17 dams is reported to be around 17 per cent.
The sharp decline in storage has increased dependence on the forthcoming northeast monsoon.
Water Resources Department and drinking water board officials are awaiting rainfall to replenish the reservoirs and help meet demand in the coming months.
Although summer has ended, intense heat continues in several districts. The prolonged hot conditions have been attributed to the influence of El Nino, adding to concerns over the depletion of reservoir supplies, IANS reported.
The situation has been compounded by sediment and waste accumulating in reservoirs that have not been adequately desilted. These deposits reduce effective storage capacity, potentially limiting the amount of water available even when rainfall improves.
While the northeast monsoon could bring relief, accumulated silt remains a concern as it restricts the capacity available to capture and retain fresh inflows.
If the current conditions persist without sufficient rainfall, meeting drinking water requirements could become increasingly difficult in several districts.
Reduced storage also threatens water availability for farms dependent on releases from the dams, putting additional pressure on agricultural activities.
The figures underline the importance of both rainfall and reservoir maintenance in securing Tamil Nadu's water supplies.
The recovery of the depleted reservoirs will depend on how much rain reaches the dams and their catchment areas. For now, water authorities remain dependent on a substantial improvement in rainfall.
The coming northeast monsoon will be crucial to easing shortages and restoring supplies for households, agriculture and other users across the affected districts.
(With IANS inputs)
