Localised solutions prevent water-logging in traditionally vulnerable areas in north Chennai

Waterlogging was reported only in Decaster Road and at the Mettupalyam subway; Ganeshapuram subway remains free of flooding

Residents in many parts of north Chennai, which are traditionally prone to waterlogging, woke up to dry roads or partially waterlogged stretches on Saturday. Most parts of Pulianthope, Pattalam, Vyasarpadi, Perambur and Tiruvottiyur were largely free of water stagnation.

According to officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation, there was no major water stagnation in the five zones of the northern region such as Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet and Royapuram. An assessment found that around 78 small and medium trees and 103 branches had fallen. Three streetlight poles and a traffic signal were damaged.

Ganeshapuram subway in Vyasarpadi, which goes under water after almost every rain bringing traffic to a halt, had no waterlogging. Similarly, Perambur Barracks Road, another traditionally flood-prone stretch, had no water stagnation. Pattalam, which gets heavily flooded, had very little water stagnation.

Dr. Ambedkar College Road in Pulianthope had partial waterlogging, and the bad condition of portions of the stretch made it difficult for road users.

One of the affected areas in Pulianthope was Decaster Road and its interior lanes. The area that already faces poor sanitation turned into a mess due to partial waterlogging.

Malathi, a long-time resident said, “Decaster Road is prone to waterlogging after every rain. But the situation has improved in the last two times when it rained heavily. Earlier, water used to stagnate for two or three days with no place to drain and turn black in colour. Now, though water stagnates to an extent, it is immediately pumped out. But we want a permanent solution. The Corporation should identify the problem and rectify it,” she said.

Like in Decaster Road, the workforce and machinery was deployed in places where there was partial waterlogging. Another such area was A.B.V. Koil Street in G.K.M. Colony. Residents said there was waterlogging in parts of Kamarajar Nagar, Nehruji Nagar and Chinnasamy Nagar in Manali zone and was being pumped out.