Satellite Pictures Reveal The Acute Water Crisis Chennai Is Facing As Reservoirs Turn Dry

Millions of residents in Chennai, India¡¯s sixth biggest city, have no access to clean water due to worst drought in the states in decades. The lack of rainfall last year and late arrival of monsoon this year has led to city¡¯s major reservoirs running dry.

The groundwater levels have depleted due to excess borewells in the area.

Water is being rationed and nearby states and cities have offered help to Chennai to deal with the crisis.

Satellite imagery is making very clear just how low their reservoirs are.

1. A satellite image of Puzhal reservoir in Chennai on June 15, 2018

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

2. image the reservoir on April 6, 2019, shows the depletion of lakes in the state.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

3. This June 15, 2019, image shows Puzhal reservoir in Chennai during the drought.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

The Tamil Nadu government said it was largely dependent on ground water to meet their requirements till the onset of northeast monsoon in October.

4. This June 15, 2018, Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows Puzhal reservoir in Chennai.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said that groundwater levels have depleted due to drought and deficient monsoon but claimed the issue was not as big as the media was claiming.

5. This June 15, 2018 image shows Chembarambakkam Lake in Chennai.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration minister S P Velumani acknowledged that Tamil Nadu was facing the worst-ever drought.

6. Velumani said that deficiencies in some ground water conservation projects were identified at various places, including Chennai, and they were being attended to.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

7. Water is being supplied in Chennai through lorries and borewells are being dug in several areas.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

8. Meanwhile, Kerala has offered 20 lakh litres of drinking water to Tamil Nadu. CM K Palaniswami will discuss it at a review meeting on Friday and announce 'an appropriate decision' then.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image/Maxar Technologies via AP

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