Chennai is set to receive Krishna water supply starting May 15, following a temporary halt by the Andhra Pradesh government for maintenance work in the inter-state supply system’s water bodies. This resumption is expected to boost the city’s reservoir storage, ensuring ample drinking water reserves through the upcoming peak summer period and until the northeast monsoon arrives later this year.
The Andhra Pradesh government initiated the release of Krishna water from the Kandaleru reservoir on February 25 as part of the ongoing second phase of water supply to Tamil Nadu. The flow, which began on March 4 and averaged between 300 to 400 cusecs, was paused on March 29 for maintenance purposes.
Officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) estimate that Chennai has already received approximately 1.1 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water during the current second phase. With the expected resumption of supply next week, the city anticipates receiving over 1.5 tmcft by the end of June, enhancing its water security.
Authorities are optimistic about uninterrupted discharge during the initial supply phase from July to October, potentially leading to a significant improvement in Chennai’s water situation. Under the Krishna water-sharing agreement between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, the latter is obligated to provide 12 tmcft of water annually during the first phase. However, due to near-full reservoirs following the robust northeast monsoon in 2025, Chennai only utilized 3.7 tmcft during the previous cycle.
During the ongoing second phase, officials project that Chennai may receive a total of 3 to 4 tmcft. The WRD is also assessing reservoir storage levels to determine if any excess water needs to be redistributed among reservoirs for optimal storage and distribution. As of the latest data, Chennai’s major reservoirs collectively hold 8,226 million cubic feet (mcft) of water against a total capacity of 13,222 mcft, with Chembarambakkam reservoir leading in storage volume at 2,960 mcft.
