Tamil Nadu is entering the summer season with lower water reserves following a slight decrease in rainfall during the northeast monsoon, raising worries about drinking water availability. Data from the Water Resources Department reveals that the total storage in 90 major reservoirs is currently at 146.373 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft), which is around 20% less than last year’s storage at the same period. This storage represents 65.24% of the total reservoir capacity of 224.343 tmcft, a significant decline compared to the previous year’s 78.72% capacity.
The decline in reservoir levels is mainly attributed to below-average rainfall in crucial catchment areas during the northeast monsoon. Over the past few weeks, the situation has deteriorated rapidly. As of January 2, the combined storage was 168.418 tmcft, accounting for about 75.07% of the total capacity. In just 23 days, the state has utilized nearly 10% of its stored water, indicating a combination of consumption and evaporation losses due to dry weather conditions.
Major reservoirs like Mettur and Bhavanisagar are experiencing a continuous drop in water levels due to inadequate inflows and the absence of sustained rainfall. Inflows into the Mettur reservoir drastically decreased to 70 cusecs on Sunday, down from 4,794 cusecs on December 1, 2025. Officials anticipate that with the ongoing dry conditions, both water usage and evaporation losses will escalate, emphasizing the need for careful water management and conservation in the coming months.
Officials from the Water Resources Department have signaled that no water will be released for irrigation until June due to the current storage trends. They emphasize the necessity to prioritize the existing reserves solely for drinking water requirements to ensure ample supply during the peak summer period. Despite the challenges posed by the declining reservoir levels, some regions are utilizing the dry spell efficiently by initiating desilting works in various small water bodies to prepare for the upcoming monsoon season.
