The Hindu : Rainfall in June & July, second highest in last five years

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Rainfall in June & July, second highest in last five years

By T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI AUG. 12. The average rainfall of Chennai's three main water sources (Red Hills, Cholavaram and Satyamurthi Sagar in Poondi) during the first half (June and July) of southwest monsoon is the second highest amount in the last five years.

Against the anticipated 18 cm, the actual average rainfall of the three sources was 17 cm in the last two months. In the recent years, the highest was 19 cm in 1998.

The expected 18 cm was arrived at on the basis of average rainfall recorded by the three sources in the last three decades (which is available on the official web site of Metrowater). According to meteorologists, the 30-year-long rainfall data is taken to work out the anticipated rainfall.

Between 1999 and 2002, the three sources registered less rainfall in June and July, compared to this year. In 1999, they received 2 cm; in 2000, 15 cm; in 2001, 13 cm and in 2002, 14 cm.

However, only the second half of southwest monsoon is more beneficial to the city in terms of rainfall. During August and September, the three sources record 45 cm.

Meanwhile, the combined storage of Red Hills, Cholavaram and Satyamurthi Sagar stood at 655 mcft (million cubic feet) this morning. In Chembarampakkam (which also supplements the city supply), the storage was 38 mcft, up by 22 mcft.

K. Dheenadayalan, Managing Director of Metrowater, says that after giving allowance for dead storage, the present storage can last three months as the daily drawal is six mcft. Besides, groundwater is providing the crucial support in maintaining the supply. From agricultural wells and Metrowater's own deep borewells, the yield already touched the 100 million litres a day (MLD).

Simultaneously, the authorities are intensifying their efforts of propagating the concept of rainwater harvesting, as there are only three more weeks to go for the deadline. Mr. Dheenadayalan says till date, about 91,000 buildings out of 3.18 lakhs in the city have come under the RWH net.

`Extend deadline'

Meanwhile, some RWH activists argue that the deadline has to be extended in view of the "increase in prices" of PVC pipes, used for RWH, and "short supply" of the pipes and cement rings meant for percolation wells.

They say the rates of the pipes have gone up by 15 to 20 per cent in the last one week. Besides, there are complaints of the sale of inferior pipes, with brands that are deceptively similar to the established ones.

A cross-section of traders of Sembudoss Street in George Town (which is known for wholesale and retail trade of materials such as PVC pipes) admits that the demand for pipes has gone up in view of the RWH drive. But, the traders deny the contention that the pipes have only limited availability. "The maximum waiting period is two hours, after placing an order", an authorised agent of a branded pipe says.

The per length rates for the branded products (with ISI mark) range from Rs. 370 to Rs. 550 for a three-inch pipe of four kg.

In respect of those, which do not have the ISI mark, the prices vary from Rs. 320 to Rs. 330 per length for a similar specification.

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