Krishna water supply to Chennai resumes May 15 after AP maintenance halt
Synopsis
Chennai's Krishna water supply, suspended since 29 March for maintenance, is set to resume on 15 May — a critical lifeline as the city's six reservoirs hold just 8,226 mcft against a 13,222 mcft capacity. With officials targeting over 1.5 tmcft by June and a full first-spell supply from July to October, the next few weeks will determine how comfortably Chennai heads into the northeast monsoon season.
Key Takeaways
Krishna water supply to Chennai is set to resume on 15 May after a maintenance-related halt since 29 March .
Chennai has received around 1.1 tmcft during the current second spell; officials expect over 1.5 tmcft by end of June .
The city's six major reservoirs collectively hold 8,226 mcft against a combined capacity of 13,222 mcft .
Chembarambakkam leads storage at 2,960 mcft ; Cholavaram has the lowest at 246 mcft .
Under the inter-state agreement, Andhra Pradesh must supply 12 tmcft to Tamil Nadu during the first spell ( July–October ).
The WRD is assessing whether water may need to be redistributed between reservoirs to optimise storage.
Chennai is set to receive Krishna water supply again from 15 May after the Andhra Pradesh government temporarily suspended discharge for maintenance work on water bodies linked to the inter-state supply system. The resumption is expected to bolster the city's reservoir storage ahead of peak summer demand and help sustain comfortable drinking water reserves until the onset of the northeast monsoon later this year.
Background: How the Supply Was Disrupted
The Andhra Pradesh government had released Krishna water from the Kandaleru reservoir on 25 February as part of the ongoing second spell of supply to Tamil Nadu. The water reached the Poondi reservoir on 4 March and flowed at an average rate of 300 to 400 cusecs before being suspended on 29 March for scheduled maintenance. Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) confirmed the halt was temporary and linked solely to upkeep of connected water infrastructure.
Current Reservoir Status
As of Sunday, Chennai's six major reservoirs together held 8,226 million cubic feet (mcft) of water against a combined storage capacity of 13,222 mcft. Chembarambakkam reservoir recorded the highest storage at 2,960 mcft, followed by Red Hills at 2,075 mcft and Poondi at 1,725 mcft. Kannankottai Thervoykandigai stood at 384 mcft, while Cholavaram had the lowest storage at 246 mcft. The Veeranam reservoir, which also supports Chennai's drinking water supply, recorded 836 mcft, ensuring sufficient availability through the summer season.
What Officials Expect Next
According to WRD officials, Chennai has already received around 1.1 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) during the current second spell. Authorities expect the city to receive more than 1.5 tmcft by end of June if supply resumes as scheduled. Officials also anticipate uninterrupted discharge during the first spell — from July to October — which could significantly improve the city's long-term water security.
The Krishna Water-Sharing Agreement
Under the inter-state Krishna water-sharing agreement between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, the latter is required to supply 12 tmcft during the first spell every year. However, Chennai drew only 3.7 tmcft during the previous cycle because city reservoirs had reached near-full capacity following the strong northeast monsoon of 2025. During the current second spell, officials estimate the city may receive around 3 to 4 tmcft in total. The WRD is also reviewing whether excess water may need to be redistributed between reservoirs to optimise storage capacity and distribution efficiency.
What This Means for Chennai
The timely resumption of Krishna water inflows is critical for a city that has historically battled water scarcity during the pre-monsoon months. This is not the first time maintenance-related interruptions have temporarily strained supply — Chennai's dependence on inter-state water agreements underscores the importance of robust reservoir management and monsoon preparedness. With the northeast monsoon expected later in the year, a well-stocked reservoir system heading into the season would offer the city a meaningful buffer against demand spikes.
Point of View
Not due to scarcity but because reservoirs were already full, is a rare good-news data point. Yet the city's six reservoirs collectively sitting at barely 62% capacity in mid-May — even after a strong 2025 northeast monsoon — signals how quickly gains erode under summer demand. The deeper question is whether Chennai's reservoir infrastructure and inter-reservoir transfer capacity can keep pace with a growing urban population, particularly as climate variability makes monsoon timing increasingly unpredictable.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Krishna water supply resume for Chennai?
Krishna water supply to Chennai is expected to resume on 15 May, following a temporary suspension since 29 March for maintenance work on water bodies linked to the inter-state supply system.
Why was Krishna water supply to Chennai suspended?
The Andhra Pradesh government halted the discharge temporarily for maintenance work on water infrastructure connected to the inter-state supply system. The suspension began on 29 March and is expected to end by 15 May.
What is the current water storage level in Chennai's reservoirs?
As of the latest update, Chennai's six major reservoirs hold a combined 8,226 mcft against a total capacity of 13,222 mcft. Chembarambakkam has the highest storage at 2,960 mcft, while Cholavaram has the lowest at 246 mcft.
How much Krishna water is Chennai expected to receive in total?
Officials expect Chennai to receive more than 1.5 tmcft by end of June from the current second spell, with a total estimate of 3 to 4 tmcft for the spell. The first spell from July to October could bring significantly more, with Andhra Pradesh obligated to supply 12 tmcft under the inter-state agreement.
What is the Krishna water-sharing agreement between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh?
Under the inter-state Krishna water-sharing agreement, Andhra Pradesh is required to supply 12 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu during the first spell each year, running from July to October. A second spell also provides supplemental supply, as is currently underway.
