Nearly 2,000 irrigation tanks in Tamil Nadu going beyond 75% storage

The State has begun experiencing the beneficial impact of the Northeast monsoon, which set in on October 16. In the last 10 days, nearly 2,000 irrigation tanks in the State saw their storage going beyond 75% of their capacity. 

As on October 15, the total number of tanks exceeding 75% in storage was 2,622. But, as on Saturday (October 25), it rose to 4,556. About a year ago (as on October 21, 2024), the number of such tanks was 3,197. Of 2,282 tanks that have now reached 100% storage, 396 were in Kanniyakumari district, 266  in Tiruvannamalai, 243 in Ranipet, 241 in Madurai, 189 in Thanjavur, and 137 in Villupuram.

Storage of irrigation tanks

Source: Water Resources Department

In the last 10 days, the highest rise in the number of such tanks was recorded by Villupuram at 131. This was followed by Madurai with 120 and Tiruvannamalai with 111. Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram, Chennai’s neighbouring districts, recorded the full storage in 50 and 62 tanks respectively.  

As regards 2,274 tanks whose storage was in the range of 76% to 99%, Kanniyakumari had 788 such tanks; Thanjavur – 263; Madurai – 220  : Pudukottai – 144 and Tenkasi – 109. Madurai, with 189 more tanks having the storage of 76% to 99%, topped the districts with the highest rise in the number of tanks under this category. It was followed by Kanniyakumari (122) and Thanjavur (95).  

With the monsoon expected to yield higher rainfall this year, many more tanks may touch full level in the coming weeks. When the storage of the tanks goes up, this naturally leads to better groundwater table. Besides, farmers, who are enjoying free power supply, will draw  less amount of groundwater.