Shortage of water and erratic power supply are two issues that residents of Chennai face every summer. With the previous year’s heatwave still fresh in their minds, people in areas such as Anna Nagar, T Nagar and North Chennai are worried about yet another season of potable water scarcity.
Published Feb 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Water supply in Chennai.
Synopsis: As summer nears, Chennai residents are concerned over the looming threats of water scarcity and increased power tariffs. People are demanding access to a round-the-clock water supply and an uninterrupted power supply. Officials said that preparations are in place to ensure the demands
As Chennai gears up for another scorching summer, residents across the Tamil Nadu capital are concerned over rising electricity bills and water shortages.
With the previous year’s heatwave still fresh in their minds, people in areas such as Anna Nagar, T Nagar and North Chennai are worried about yet another season of potable water scarcity.
Water scarcity has been a perennial issue in many parts of Chennai.
“We faced severe water cuts last summer. It was frustrating to see water tankers arrive late or not at all. While I see pipelines being replaced now, I’m not sure they’ll be enough for the summer,” Ravi Kumar, a 35-year-old IT professional from Anna Nagar, told South First.
The situation is not confined to Anna Nagar. Residents of T Nagar also raised concerns about equitable water distribution. Lakshmi (68), demanded the government to act fast.
“For senior citizens like us, waiting in queues for water tankers is impossible. The government must prioritise improving last-mile connectivity for water supply,” she said.
Chennai’s dependence on its reservoirs, groundwater, and desalination plants has long been a point of contention. Last year, several city areas reeled under a water crisis when reservoirs dried up early due to high consumption and poor storage.
According to a recent report by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), the city’s demand for water is expected to grow by seven percent this year, fuelled by urban expansion and population growth.
A study by the Mahindra-TERI Centre of Excellence predicted that Chennai’s water requirements will exceed supply unless drastic steps are taken to enhance storage and reduce wastage.
In North Chennai, where infrastructure issues persist, Selvi, a daily wage worker, said water often doesn’t reach her area. “Tankers prioritise areas like the city centre, leaving us to fend for ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Conservation & Rivers Restoration Corporation Chairman & Managing Director Dr K Manivasan told South First that all preparations are complete ahead of the summer.
“All preparations have been made for this summer, and the water supply will be fine across all reservoirs, including those with storage over 11 TMC and the Veeranam reservoir in Cuddalore,” Manivasan said.
The financial impact of water scarcity has been harsh particularly for low-income families. In areas like Perambur and Vyasarpadi, where piped water supply is inconsistent, residents spent an average of ₹500 to ₹1,000 a month on private water supplies last summer.
“For us, this is the equivalent of skipping meals or not paying school fees. The government’s free water schemes don’t reach us,” Selvi added.
Rajesh, a small shop owner from Pulianthope said he had to shell out ₹700 every week on water tankers to quench the thirst of his family of five. “It’s draining; sometimes I had to cut down on stocking my shop just to buy water. How can a daily wage earner survive like this?”
Aparna, a homemaker from Saidapet, spoke about her struggle. “We had to pay ₹1,200 for water tankers that barely delivered enough to meet our daily needs. Sometimes, we had to even borrow money just for water. It’s humiliating to beg for such a basic necessity.”
A report suggested that Tamil Nadu’s power demand peaked at 20,830 (Megawatt) MW on 2 May 2024, while the state recorded its highest daily consumption of 45.432 crore units on 30 April 2024.
Electricity demand refers to the rate at which electricity is being used at a specific moment, measured in kilowatt (kW), while electricity consumption is the total amount of electricity used over a period of time, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh)
At the same time, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) implemented a 4.83 percent hike in power tariff effective from 1 July 2024, impacting multiple consumer categories, including households.
Middle-class families in T Nagar and Anna Nagar struggled with the rising costs, said Vijay Sharma, a 42-year-old private sector employee.
“We had to keep the air conditioner running because of the extreme heat, but when the bill came, it was shocking. It went from ₹3,000 to almost ₹6,500 in just one month. I fear this summer will be worse,” he said.
Electricity tariffs are subject to periodic revisions, often influenced by factors such as inflation and operational costs, said Mark, an IT professional and resident of Shenoy Nagar.
In Vyasarpadi, erratic electricity supply adds to the burden. Residents like Ganesamurthy, a factory worker, lamented the situation.
“We already face frequent power cuts. When the heat becomes unbearable, we don’t even have electric fans. If the tariffs go up, what are we even paying for,” he asked.
According to a report, the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) is making extensive preparations to handle the expected rise in electricity demand, which is projected to surpass 22,000 MW.
To meet this challenge, TNPDCL has signed power purchase agreements for an additional 2,000 MW, with 700 MW dedicated to continuous consumption and 1,300 MW set aside for peak times.
Additionally, the corporation is reinforcing its infrastructure by installing 48 new substations and upgrading 260 power transformers, with plans for 20 more substations and over 6,000 distribution transformers.
Sundaram, a 72-year-old retired teacher who lives near Kodambakkam, is riled over the denial of basic comfort last summer.
“The summer heat is unbearable for people like us. My wife and I rarely step out of the house because of the scorching sun. Even indoors, with frequent power cuts, the fans don’t work, and the heat becomes suffocating. At our age, we just want some basic comfort, but it seems like a luxury now,” he said.
Lavanya, a mother of two from Anna Nagar, spoke about her struggles. “My kids love playing cricket and football in the evenings, but last summer, they couldn’t even step out due to the extreme heat. We considered swimming as an option, but the pools were either overcrowded or too expensive. It’s heartbreaking to see them glued to screens all day because they can’t enjoy the outdoors. The government should consider creating shaded recreational spaces for children.”
Water infrastructure upgrades took place in September 2024. Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a ₹500 crore allocation aimed at restoring 5,000 water bodies across Tamil Nadu.
This initiative focuses on rehabilitating minor irrigation tanks, ponds, and their feeder channels in Panchayat Unions throughout the state.
In order to mitigate challenges, the CMWSSB has implemented several measures:
Desalination plants: The establishment of desalination plants, such as the 100 million litres per day (MLD) Nemmeli Desalination Plant, has been pivotal in augmenting the city’s water supply.
Reservoir management: Key reservoirs like Chembarambakkam Lake and Redhills Reservoir are crucial sources of water for the city. The CMWSSB monitors storage levels and implements water rationing during peak summer months to ensure equitable distribution.
Alternative water supply: In areas experiencing acute shortages, the CMWSSB provides water through tankers. Residents can book water tankers via the “Dial for Water 2.0” service.
Rainwater harvesting campaigns like the “Catch the Rain” campaign, launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, encourages states, including Tamil Nadu, to implement rainwater harvesting measures.
The campaign’s tagline, “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls,” emphasises the importance of capturing rainwater through various methods such as rooftop harvesting systems and the construction of check dams.
While specific data on the number of households in Tamil Nadu that have adopted rainwater harvesting systems in the past year is not readily available, the state has been proactive in promoting these practices.
For instance, Tamil Nadu has made rooftop rainwater collection mandatory for all buildings, highlighting its commitment to sustainable water management.
The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) manages electricity distribution in the state.
According to a report, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) announced a 4.83 percent increase in electricity tariffs across all consumer categories, effective from 1 July 2024. This revision was based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) escalation rate from April 2023 to April 2024.
Activist Jayaram Venkatesan, convener of Arappor Iyakkam told South First that Chennai’s metro water management had failed to address two critical issues.
“The state should look into rainwater harvesting and water contamination. Encroached water bodies are shrinking, and a significant portion of the supply is polluted due to sewage mixing with drinking water,” he said.
“The worst affected are the poor, who receive water only once in two days, and in areas like Tsunami Nagar and Kannagi Nagar, just once in four days. With summer approaching, demand will soar, yet the government remains unprepared,” he claimed.
“Electricity shortages add to the struggle. Despite demand staying relatively stable over the last decade, corruption has driven tariffs from ₹4 per unit to a consistent shoot-up. Frequent power cuts make Chennai’s extreme summers unbearable, yet no measures have been taken to ensure stable, affordable electricity,” Jayaram further said.
“Water and electricity are basic necessities, not privileges, and the government must act before the crisis worsens,” he added.
Jayaram also said that scams and power purchases have been taking place in Tamil Nadu over the last 10 years even when the energy consumption has not really drastically changed.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
