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

The state started experiencing the positive impact of the Northeast monsoon, which started on October 16. In the last 10 days, the storage capacity of nearly 2,000 irrigation tanks in the state has been seen to exceed 75%.

As of October 15, the total number of tanks in storage exceeding 75% was 2,622. However, as on Saturday, October 25, it rose to 4,556. About a year ago (as of October 21, 2024) the number of such tanks was 3,197. Of the 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: Department of Water Resources

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

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

With the monsoon expected to deliver more rainfall this year, many more tanks may reach full levels in the coming weeks. When the storage capacity of tanks increases this naturally leads to better groundwater level. Additionally, farmers who benefit from free electricity will draw less groundwater.