Continuous rainfall on the first day of 2026 in Chennai and nearby areas has helped Puzhal Lake reach its full storage capacity. The lake is now 100% full, which is good news for Chennai’s drinking water supply.
Officials said this is a rare situation, as the lake has been full right from the beginning of the year. This has strengthened water security for the city, especially for the coming months.
Because of heavy rain from the Northeast Monsoon, Puzhal Lake filled up earlier than usual. To ensure safety, authorities released excess water from the reservoir for some time. After the rainfall reduced, the water release was stopped.
Puzhal Lake has a total storage capacity of 3,300 million cubic feet (mcft). At present, it is holding the full 3,300 mcft of water, showing that the reservoir is completely filled. Officials are carefully watching the water level and managing the reservoir to ensure enough drinking water for the city.
The full storage of Puzhal Lake has brought relief to residents, as it ensures a steady supply of drinking water for Chennai in the near future.