Chennai Corporation to monitor 30 locations where flood mitigation work is incomplete ahead of monsoon

Chennai Corp. to monitor 30 locations for flood mitigation work. 3,331 km of storm water drains readied. 799 metres of drains incomplete in core areas. GCC monitoring 8 river basins to mitigate flooding in 426 sq. km. of city. 845 pumps, additional manpower deployed. Data from sensors & flood forecasting used. Sanitising public places, mitigating flooding along Metrorail routes.

Chennai Corporation will monitor 30 locations where flood mitigation work is pending, in coordination with other line departments, without abandoning the work ahead of the rains, said Commissioner J.Radhakrishnan.

Following an inspection of the work on Tuesday, Dr.Radhakrishnan said 3,331 km of storm water drains have been readied ahead of the onset of the northeast monsoon in the city. 

“Over 3,000 metres of drains have not been completed in various parts of the city. Drains at nine locations in core areas of the city, including Rajaji Salai have not been completed. A total of 799 metres of drains have not been completed. We are monitoring all these locations. Storm water drains at four locations along the highways have not been completed. EVR Periyar Salai and Inner Ring Road near Olympia Tech Park have not been completed. We will work in coordination with 11 line departments,” said Dr.Radhakrishnan. Work along many of the 30 locations have been incomplete as the shifting of electric poles have to be completed. Some work involves multiple agencies, including the Railways.

In Kosastalaiyar Kovalam basin, work at 17 locations have been incomplete covering 932 metres of roads and 1.2 km of highways in extended areas. Pointing to the need for structural and non-structural aspects for flood mitigation, Dr.Radhakrishnan said the GCC and other agencies were monitoring eight river basins covering 6,999 sq. km. of metropolitan area and the outskirts to mitigate flooding in 426 sq. km. of the city during the northeast monsoon. “Chennai has received 75% more rains during the South West Monsoon. GCC has readied 845 pumps for the northeast monsoon. Additional manpower, 10 each for each of the 200 divisions in the city, have been deployed,” said Dr.Radhakrishnan.

High capacity pumps have also been readied for the monsoon. Stressing the need for initiatives to mitigate flooding and resolve civic issues during the rains, Dr.Radhakrishnan said there were challenges in extended areas such as Perungudi, Alandur, Madipakkaam, Valsaravakkam, Mugalivakkam, Madanandapuram, Manapakkam and Ramapuram. “Ramapuram Tiruvallur Salai has been relaid by Highways Department and a part of the work on Madanandapuram Salai was under way,” the Commissioner said. “Black topping of 26 roads in Madipakkam has been completed. Work on relaying of 24 roads in Madipakkkam is under way,” he added.

The Water Resources Department has been clearing waterways and canals in various parts of the city as part of monsoon preparedness as the illegal dumping of garbage has not stopped in many areas. Data from sensor and flood forecasting data will be utilised to improve monsoon preparedness. In a bid to prevent public health issues, bleaching power has been readied for sanitising public places in all zones.  The civic body in coordination with Metrorail, will take initiatives to mitigate flooding along the Metrorail routes where work is under way along the OMR and Arcot Road and other parts of the city, such as T.Nagar, Mylapore and Porur. Flooding was reported near Vivekanda College owing to the Metro work.