All water and dam related data will be available online in TN by the end of July

CHENNAI: The state government will launch a new Water Resources Information and Management System by the end of this month to make all water-related data, including reservoir storage and inflow, available online. Some of the relevant datasets will be made available online to the public.

A senior official from the Water Resources Department (WRD) said: “The aim is to collate all existing data from various sources to create a single portal. This will serve as the central source for water-related information, which will support future planning by each department.”

The WRD has completed almost 95% of the project. The official added that once the portal is active, it will even help in identifying illegal activities such as encroachments on water bodies or water theft.

The portal serves as a central repository for water-related data, ensuring that all government departments have the right information for planning and policy making.

Another official pointed out that the advanced features of the portal include real-time dashboard modules, which are already in beta testing. These modules integrate data from sources such as the Central Water Commission, the Indian Meteorological Department, ISRO and others.

“The real-time dashboard has seven modules covering rainfall, reservoirs, irrigation tanks, groundwater, river gauges, soil moisture and evaporation. Inflow forecasting, reservoir operations optimization, water audit and water shortage identification modules have also been completed,” he explained.

WRD manages 90 reservoirs in the state and the portal will host comprehensive data including water levels and flow rates. This digital portal, being developed at a cost of `30 crore with financial assistance from NABARD, marks a milestone in the state’s water management efforts, officials said. It is expected to revolutionize the way water resources are monitored and conserved in Tamil Nadu, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

The state government has set up a high-level, executive and expert committee to review, coordinate and guide implementation.