Chennai Reservoirs Open Floodgates Amid Heavy Rainfall

On December 13, 2024, the Chennai Water Resources Department opened the floodgates of Chembarambakkam and Red Hills reservoirs as a precautionary measure in response to heavy rainfall and rising water levels. Chembarambakkam, the largest of the city’s five reservoirs, saw its water level reach 23.59 feet, prompting the release of 4,500 cubic feet per second into the Adyar River.

Authorities have issued flood warnings for areas like Kundrathur and Sirukalathur and have advised evacuations along the riverbanks. The Red Hills reservoir also released 500 cusecs of water to manage the increasing inflow. The five city reservoirs now hold 10,175 million cubic feet of water, a marked improvement from November’s sub-30% storage levels.