The maintenance of Siruvani Dam's water level at 45 feet, 5 feet below the Full Reservoir Level agreed upon, has led to a 19 percent reduction in water storage, severely impacting the city's water supply during the crucial summer months. The recent halving of the water supply from the dam has prompted urgent calls for government-level discussions.
Coimbatore: Several parts of Coimbatore district are on the brink of a drinking water scarcity as the Kerala Irrigation Department has significantly reduced the discharge from the Siruvani Dam, affecting the water supply to the area. This situation has emerged following a decline in water levels at both the Siruvani and Aliyar Dams within the Coimbatore district.
Siruvani Dam, situated in the Palakkad district of Kerala, plays a crucial role in supplying water to Coimbatore district. Currently, the city's municipal corporation requires a total of 265 million liters per day (MLD), with 101.40 MLD being sourced from the Siruvani project. An interstate agreement made in 1973 outlines the water supply terms, emphasizing the importance of Siruvani water for Coimbatore's needs.
However, the maintenance of the Siruvani Dam's water level at 45 feet, 5 feet below the Full Reservoir Level agreed upon, has led to a 19% reduction in water storage, severely impacting the city's water supply during the crucial summer months. The recent halving of the water supply from the dam has prompted urgent calls for government-level discussions to address this critical issue.
Senior officials from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply And Drainage Board have noted a drastic reduction in water supply from the Siruvani Dam, falling to 35-37 MLD from the usual 73-75 MLD. This reduction has left the reservoir's water storage at a critically low level, sufficient for only two more months of supply.
The issue has raised concerns among CCMC councillors and the public, leading to promises of action from city officials. CCMC Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran has indicated that steps are being taken to engage in governmental discussions to resolve the issue, with the upcoming Pillur Scheme-3 project expected to alleviate some of the water scarcity concerns.
Meanwhile, the Aliyar Dam's water level also reflects the severity of the situation, with current levels significantly lower than the previous year's, highlighting the broader water management challenges facing the region.
Siruvani Dam, situated in the Palakkad district of Kerala, plays a crucial role in supplying water to Coimbatore district. Currently, the city's municipal corporation requires a total of 265 million liters per day (MLD), with 101.40 MLD being sourced from the Siruvani project. An interstate agreement made in 1973 outlines the water supply terms, emphasizing the importance of Siruvani water for Coimbatore's needs.
However, the maintenance of the Siruvani Dam's water level at 45 feet, 5 feet below the Full Reservoir Level agreed upon, has led to a 19% reduction in water storage, severely impacting the city's water supply during the crucial summer months. The recent halving of the water supply from the dam has prompted urgent calls for government-level discussions to address this critical issue.
Senior officials from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply And Drainage Board have noted a drastic reduction in water supply from the Siruvani Dam, falling to 35-37 MLD from the usual 73-75 MLD. This reduction has left the reservoir's water storage at a critically low level, sufficient for only two more months of supply.
The issue has raised concerns among CCMC councillors and the public, leading to promises of action from city officials. CCMC Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran has indicated that steps are being taken to engage in governmental discussions to resolve the issue, with the upcoming Pillur Scheme-3 project expected to alleviate some of the water scarcity concerns.
Meanwhile, the Aliyar Dam's water level also reflects the severity of the situation, with current levels significantly lower than the previous year's, highlighting the broader water management challenges facing the region.