Tamil Nadu is grappling with a severe drinking water crisis as the prolonged absence of the southwest monsoon has led to significant depletion of reservoirs, lakes, and groundwater sources in many parts of the state. Complaints are rising against the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board for not implementing adequate measures to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the worst-affected districts. Official data reveals a worrying decline in water availability, with 59 out of the state’s 90 dams completely dried up and others retaining only a fraction of their storage capacity.
The situation is exacerbated by the drying up of irrigation tanks, with thousands of them either completely dry or nearing depletion. The impact of the deficient monsoon extends beyond Tamil Nadu, affecting neighboring southern states as well. This has led to a sharp decrease in reservoir inflows, impacting both irrigation and drinking water supplies. Water bodies under the Municipal Administration and Rural Development Departments are also witnessing significant depletion, posing challenges to the TWAD Board’s water supply schemes.
As surface water sources shrink and groundwater levels drop, many borewells installed by the Board are failing to yield sufficient water. This has resulted in prolonged pump operation to extract limited water quantities, leading to increased electricity consumption without a significant improvement in supply. Several districts, including Virudhunagar, Tiruvannamalai, and Madurai, are facing acute water shortages, with some areas receiving water supply only once every ten days instead of weekly.
Concerns are mounting over the deteriorating groundwater situation in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, crucial sources of drinking water for Chennai. Despite warnings from the Water Resources Department about declining water availability, the TWAD Board is allegedly yet to implement effective alternative water sourcing plans. There are fears that the crisis may worsen if rainfall continues to be insufficient.
