The water level in the Siruvani dam, the source of drinking water in Coimbatore city, has come down to 2.85 feet, leading to a shortage of drinking water in the city in the coming days, officials of the Water Supply and Drainage Board said.
Coimbatore: With the water level in the Siruvani dam, the source of drinking water in Coimbatore city, receding to 2.85 feet, the city faces water scarcity in the coming days.
Siruvani Dam is a source of drinking water for 26 wards and more than 20 villages in Coimbatore city. With a capacity of 49.50 feet, 10 crore litres (100 MLD) of water was being drawn daily for drinking purposes.
Since the end of February, the dam's water level has steadily begun to recede as the sun's impact has continued to rise. The dam's water level had decreased to 6 feet in March. Subsequently, the water level in the dam fell below 5 feet in April and May.
The water level in the dam has dropped from 3.94 feet last week to 2.85 feet as of yesterday due to a lack of rain in the catchment areas and an increase in the impact of the sun. As a result, the amount of drinking water being drawn from the dam has been reduced from 4.50 crore litres to 3.60 crore litres.
If the dam's water level continues to fall in the following days, the city may face a water scarcity.
Officials of the Water Supply and Drainage Board said,
The southwest monsoon is expected to set in by the end of June. If that happens, the water level in the dam will rise. Then the quantity of water drawn from the dam for drinking purposes will be increased.
If there is a shortage of drinking water in the siruvani water supplying areas in the city, action will be taken to supply water through the Pillur water supply scheme as in the case of last year. Thus they said.