Tamil Nadu stands out in many ways, and recent events underscore this fact. The DMK-led government’s apparent indifference has left citizens to suffer in the scorching heatwave. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, along with his wife, took a week-long trip to Kodaikanal. Additionally, DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin, the perceived future CM, has embarked on a ten-day trip to London.
Political circles, commentators, and netizens have equally condemned this reckless conduct, as the state is seen to be plagued by significant lawlessness. Reports indicate that intoxicated youths and individuals, under the influence of both alcohol and drugs, have been roaming the streets, assaulting people, and causing public disorder. Victims have included bus conductors, working professionals returning home, and even police officers who have been targeted in attacks.
போதையில் தடுமாறும், தடம் மாறும் இளைய தமிழகம்..! pic.twitter.com/PiVkn5BGyx
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) May 2, 2024
Several major cities have exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and there are reports indicating a gradual depletion of major water sources. Additionally, areas like Saidapet in Chennai are encountering frequent and prolonged power outages.
Threat of Water Scarcity Looms as Water Levels Continue to Deplete
The primary sources of potable water for the inhabitants of Chennai are Pondi, Puzhal, Sembarambakkam, Cholavaram, and Kannan Fort lakes. Collectively, these five lakes have a storage capacity of 11,757 million cubic feet.
As the summer season commences, the water levels in these lakes have dwindled to 75% of their capacity. Currently, the combined reservoir holds approximately 8,931 million cubic feet of water. Contrasting with the same period last year, the water volume in these lakes exceeded 10 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet), indicating a shortfall of 2 TMC this year.
With the impending rise in temperatures exacerbating the situation, the demand for potable water is expected to surge, causing a rapid decline in lake water levels. Veeranam Lake in the Cuddalore district has already dried up, halting the supply of drinking water to Chennai. Consequently, authorities are devising plans to source water from the Krishna River via the Kandaleru Dam in Andhra Pradesh to alleviate the water scarcity in Chennai during the summer months.
Breaking down the individual lake capacities, Puzhal Lake can hold up to 3300 million cubic feet of water, presently containing 2253 million cubic feet. It releases 159 million cubic feet of water to fulfill Chennai’s drinking water requirements.
Cholavaram Lake boasts a total capacity of 1081 million cubic feet, currently holding 745 million cubic feet. Similarly, Bundi Lake has a capacity of 3231 million cubic feet with 2404 million cubic feet of water. Sembarambakkam Lake’s total capacity is 3064 million cubic feet, presently at 3645 million cubic feet. Lastly, Kannan Fort Lake has a capacity of 500 million cubic feet, currently brimming with 465 million cubic feet of water. Notably, the water level in these lakes remains substantial.
Recurring And Extended Power Blackouts
Tamil Nadu is experiencing yet another wave of frequent and extended power interruptions. There’s a perception that whenever the DMK comes into power, power cuts follow suit. This time, regions like Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, and Coimbatore are bearing the brunt, particularly during nighttime. The delta districts are hit hard by these outages, jeopardizing the irrigation needed for crops, potentially leading to crop failure. In a recent incident, residents of Saidapet in Chennai took to the streets to protest against the recurring power cuts, blocking the National Highway in frustration
Saidapet residents protesting against frequent power cuts in the nights! Wait there for 3 more hours and we could see Saidapet MLA @Subramanian_ma practicing for a marathon! pic.twitter.com/DnyhFZ00dE
— Mohan Babu R (@ItsyourMB) May 3, 2024
As a result, most of the criticism is aimed at the DMK failed to addressing the challenges, the father-son duo has opted to retreat to cooler climates, leaving citizens to endure the harsh summer heat in Tamil Nadu.
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