Coimbatore: Gone are the days when Tamil Nadu solely depended on manual readings to record water level in its reservoirs to take flood management steps, release water for irrigation and plan long-term water conservation strategies.The state has today strengthened its reservoir monitoring and dam safety infrastructure with the deployment of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)-based Automated Water Level Recorder (AWLR) systems at its 44 dams, reservoirs and regulator sites. The project, implemented in phases across 18 critical locations in the Pollachi and Thanjavur divisions, was executed by Coimbatore-based startup Enthu Technology Solutions India Pvt Ltd. According to the startup officials, AWLR systems use embedded radar-based water level sensors integrated with AI-powered software and solar-powered telemetry units to collect and transmit reservoir data wirelessly to authorities. K S Rathinasamy, cofounder and director of the startup, says the system is designed to deliver highly accurate water level readings even in challenging dam environments. “The successful completion of its deployment marks an important milestone in Tamil Nadu’s water infrastructure modernization journey. By digitizing water level observations across critical sites, we are enabling faster, more informed and data-backed decisions for smarter reservoir governance.” The device uses frequency-modulated continuous-wave millimetre-wave radar technology and could detect even minor fluctuations in water levels with high precision. The narrow beam angle minimizes interference like monkeys from surrounding structures, making the system suitable for reservoirs and dam sites in complex terrains. An integrated mobile application named ‘thingZmate’ is developed to provide officials with centralized access to real-time data, historical trends and analytical dashboards. Through the app, officials could monitor water levels, assess inflow and outflow, and review past rainfall and reservoir storage patterns. An official attached to the Water Resources Department, Pollachi division, says the automated system provides updated reservoir data every 20 minutes, significantly reducing dependence on manual monitoring and analysis. “The technology has improved operational efficiency by nearly 30% to 35%.” The system has also been equipped with predictive analytics features to support irrigation release planning, flood management and long-term water conservation strategies. To ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations, the device is capable of storing data locally during network outages and automatically synchronize it once connectivity is restored. The system supports multiple communication options, including cellular, ethernet, Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN networks, enabling deployment across varied geographical conditions. Powered by solar panels with battery backup, the device is designed to function continuously even during prolonged monsoon periods and cloudy weather conditions. A built-in local display enables field engineers to verify readings during inspection and maintenance activities. Officials say the project is part of broader efforts to modernize Tamil Nadu’s ageing water infrastructure and strengthen climate resilience through automated and data-driven systems. As climate variability and extreme weather events continue to increase, experts believe AIoT-enabled monitoring systems would play a crucial role in reservoir management, disaster preparedness and protection of water resources across the state.
