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A. Background
1. These terms of reference (TOR) outline the scope of works, deliverables and work project for the
Project Technical Advisory Consultants (PTAC). The PTAC will support the Water Resources
Department, Tamil Nadu implement the Climate Adaptation in Vennar Sub basin in Cauvery Delta. The
project comprises two outputs: (i) flood risk management and irrigation infrastructure upgraded,
and (ii) improved water and flood risk management systems established.
2. Agriculture is the dominant employment sector in Tamil Nadu and it provides livelihoods
for nearly 45% of the population. However, the sector’s contribution to state gross domestic
product (GDP) fell from 11.1% in 2004-05 to 8.2% in 2010-11. Estimated total water demand in Tamil
Nadu in 2001 was 54,395 MCM mainly for irrigation (50,007 MCM), industry/power/livestock (2,192
MCM) and drinking (1,445 MCM) compared to an estimated annual water potential including surface
(24,864 MCM) and groundwater (22,423 MCM) is assessed of 46,540 MCM. While the total demand is
forecast to go up to 57,725 MCM by 2050, usage for irrigation is not expected to increase
significantly because of demand for land for urbanization.
3. There are 17 major river basins in the state, of which the Cauvery basin (81,115 km²) is the
largest. About 90% of surface water is used in irrigation. The Cauvery River basin spans the states
of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and part of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. According to the
decision of the Cauvery Waters Dispute Tribunal in 2007, 58% (11,865 MCM in average year) of the
surface water resources of the basin are allocated to Tamil Nadu. The total potential irrigation
demand in the Cauvery delta, excluding irrigation demand upstream of the delta and other water
uses, exceeds the available resource.
4. The Cauvery Delta (6900 km²) has a total population of about 4.8 million, with about 73% relying
on farming and fishing. There are four main irrigation systems in the delta: (i) Lower Coleroon
Anicut (53,000 ha), (ii) Cauvery (200,000 ha), (iii) Vennar (190,000 ha), and (iv) Grand Anicut
(121,000 ha). Key constraints faced by the Cauvery Delta farmers are: (i) difficulty in planning of
annual cropping pattern due to the lack of assurance about surface water availability; (ii)
inefficient distribution and application of water; (iii) inequitable access to water resources with
downstream users having intermittent access to surface water and poor access to suitable quality
groundwater, (iv) crop damage during the north east monsoon due to flooding and poor drainage in
coastal areas. The three districts in the Vennar System (Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam)
record the lowest average rice productivity in Tamil Nadu.
5. Climate change is expected to worsen the already challenging situation. The projections indicate
much drier conditions between January and May but wetter and warmer conditions during the
irrigation season (June to December). However the climate projections also show large increases in
storm rainfall and runoff. Therefore more frequent and serious flooding can be expected. Flooding
in coastal areas will gradually be exacerbated by rising sea levels.
6. The key management issues facing the water resources sector are: (i) inadequate planning and
stakeholder participation in resource management, (ii) limited demand management, (iii) no
effective use of economic incentives and penalties to reduce pollution and wastage, (iv) WRD’s
mandate and skill set is in irrigation supply with little emphasis on water resources management,
(v) under-investment in infrastructure due to the Cauvery waters dispute, (vi) inadequate funding
for operation and maintenance, and (vii) flood management is reactive with minimal planning for
flood risk mitigation.
7. The Project will contribute to the initial improvement of water resources management in the
Cauvery Delta.
B. The Project
8. The project comprises two outputs: (i) flood risk management and irrigation infrastructure
upgraded, and (ii) improved water and flood risk management systems established. Under Output 1,
the project will support the (i) repair and upgrading of existing infrastructure including
embankments designed to withstand a 25 year return flood taking into consideration climate change
projections, and (ii) construction of new essential infrastructure.
9. Output 2 will deliver non-structural adaptations designed to improve the management of surface
water resources, and manage flood risks and flood events. Initiatives to be developed are: (i)
improved assessment of water resources through installation of additional rainfall, surface water
level, groundwater level and tide level monitoring stations and through direct flow measurements at
key structures, (ii) development of a Decision Support System (DSS) and (iii) capacity development
of Water Resources Department officers in improved management of water resources. The improvements
to management of flood risks and flood events will be achieved through establishment of flood
forecasting and warning systems and preparation of flood risk maps.
C. Implementation Arrangements
10. The executing agency is the Water Resources Department and a Project Management Unit (PMU) has
been established. The PMU is headed by a full time Project Director of Chief Engineer Rank. The PMU
is supported by Project Implementation Units (PIUs) established in the respective EEs offices.
Three PIUs have been established in Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Thiruthuraipoondi. The PMU needs
to be supported by two teams of consultants; (i) Project Implementation Consultants to support the
implementation of Output 1 and establishment of channel stakeholder groups under Output 2, and (ii)
Project Technical Advisory Consultants (PTAC), to (i) support the implementation of the
establishment of a decision support system, and flood risk mapping and establishment of forecasting
and warning systems under Output 2 in the project, and (ii) support the preparation of feasibility
studies for a follow on project covering the remainder of the Vennar Sub basin and Cauvery Sub
basin (hereinafter referred to as follow on project).
11. The PTAC will be established in Tiruchirappalli.
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