T.N. government approves plan to tackle floods and water shortage in Chennai and surrounding areas

To make the city and the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) water abundant and flood resilient, the State government has approved a Water Security Plan under the Chennai City Partnership Programme.

A Government Order (G.O.) was recently issued directing the Water Resources Department (WRD) to adopt the plan, which has recommended 704 works to conserve floodwater and create a decentralised water supply system to mitigate the impact of climate change in the region.

With an aim to combat climate change-induced recurrent floods and droughts in Chennai and surrounding coastal districts, the Water Security Plan aims to integrate supply, demand, and governance plans.

The G.O. said there was a gap in the current demand and supply of water in the city, as the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) supplied 1,040 million litres a day (mld) against a demand of 1,720 mld (as estimated in 2020).

Rising water demand