Electric Problems Tiruvannamalai

Tiruvannamalai is now suffering during this hot, sweltering summer, with up to 10 hours of power cuts a day. As in the rest of the State, many schools and businesses in Tiruvannamalai District have now organized their days around power outages. 

The current power crisis in Tamil Nadu (and throughout India) is a complicated issue, and to find out more, read the below informative and interesting article:- 

How Tamil Nadu's electricity problems can be solved 

“It is a sweaty problem. Scheduled power cuts of longer duration are a certainty in the coming months in Chennai and elsewhere in the state. 

Smaller industries will likely be hit harder thanks to the proposed load shedding. Already people have had to face scheduled daily power cuts, one hour in Chennai and up to eight hours in the districts.

Load-shedding, a term one normally associates only with Kolkata is now a way of life in the state.

In the 80s and 90s, water scarcity kept citizens of Chennai awake and got them to preserve every ounce of drinking water. 

That situation has changed now, and water supply and management has not been a problem in the last few years. 

Can power supply pull off a similar success story? 

At present, it appears to be a daunting task.

Power deficit, which was around 1500MW in 2009, has more than trebled in the last three years. In fact, three years ago, going by official statements, on paper, it seemed as if it was only a matter of time before the state became 'self-sufficient' in 2011 and a state with surplus power in 2012.” 

To read more go to this link here:

Water Situation

This Summer Tiruvannamalai is facing severe water shortages and although the TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board) has announced a 9-hour supply for agriculture, long power cuts are common place throughout rural Tamil Nadu.

Farmers have asked that the TNEB maintain a three-phase power supply for agriculture – 6 hours in the morning and 6 hours in the evening. They have also requested expansion works of the Mettur thermal power station be expedited immediately. To read more on the concerns over the looming power crisis check this link here:

I’ve been told by those who have originated from this place, that as recently as thirty years ago it was rare to see paddy (rice) cultivated in these parts. Tiruvannamalai is a dry area with limited water resources and heavily depends upon the rain acquired through its seasonal rainy seasons.

A combination of independent bore wells and thus a more easily accessible water supply and the considerable incentive of free electricity, has driven farmers to plant ‘cash crops’ that need excessive water irrigation. Currently with temperatures in the early 100s (Fahrenheit degrees) makes the sight of twice daily water flooded rice fields somewhat bizarre!

There is no doubt that countries and communities need to maintain an independent agricultural system. However the fact is Tamil Nadu is likely to face a severe water crisis in the next half century and according to experts, what will contribute to the crisis is the fast-depleting groundwater table, and the increasing pollution of water sources. The crisis in the making in Tamil Nadu would be as much about the quality of water available as its shrinking availability. Experts want Tamil Nadu to reduce its dependence on water from neighbouring States and formulate alternative plans.

As well as the concern that many rivers are already badly polluted in the State, another area of concern is the general over-exploitation of groundwater. According to experts, too many farmers are cultivating water-intensive crops and are indiscriminately exploiting groundwater for irrigation, which has led to a steep fall in the water table.

In this respect agriculture accounts for 85-90% of the total use of water in the State. Even by the judicious planting of less water intensive crops and gaining a 10% reduction in the agricultural sector, would considerably ease the impending water shortage situation.

To read an excellent report on the Tamil Nadu water problem please click here:

And to read a previous posting on 'Water Sustainability: Extract from Report on Rain Fed areas by Planning Commission, New Delhi'; click on this link here.