Chennai likely to experience flood once again?
Posted on: 28/Jun/2016 9:45:59 AM
Driving through the flood hit areas of Chennai, one can easily sense that the ravages caused by flood are still afresh in people’s thoughts. Worries about the same calamity to happy this year is what scares everyone now. Those who stand responsible to answer this question are the Chennai Corporation and Public Works department who need to take care of drainage systems across the city.
It is the inability of the government that stands as the reason behind floods last year. There are reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General and the public works department that the reason behind the failure is improper implementation of preventive measures and maintenance of water bodies.
In 2009, a sum of Rs 1,479 crore was allotted for maintaining macro and micro drainage systems in Chennai under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Out of this, just Rs 633 crore was spent towards the major drainage systems while the corporation used the remaining for storm water drains.
According to reports, three of ten such preventive packages were ideal without even getting started while the others which were started were just at the verge of completion.
There is definitely a connection between these incomplete projects and flooded areas. The Okkiyam Madavu belt remains incomplete for about 5.4 km stretch. According to CAG, all these devastating effects in areas including Velachery, Madipakkam, etc are due to these incomplete works.
While this is the major concern for people across Chennai, there naturally arises a question about how far we are prepared to face another calamity, if at all it happens this year. Reliable sources have researched the arrangements made so far and say that there are very minimal efforts being done so far. For instance, in the past few years, there is considerable narrowing of width of Mugalivakkam canal that reaches the Adyar river close to DLF.
Experts claim Chennai to be a delta region with low attitude. Through Chennai, there is flow of water via Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chennai which gets drained into the sea. When these are properly utilized, it can be a great way to recharge groundwater and store them in tanks. However, if these are not properly addressed by dumping all water bodies with garbage, and making indiscriminate building construction, reclaiming canals, etc, these issues will still continue on and on.
It is the inability of the government that stands as the reason behind floods last year. There are reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General and the public works department that the reason behind the failure is improper implementation of preventive measures and maintenance of water bodies.
In 2009, a sum of Rs 1,479 crore was allotted for maintaining macro and micro drainage systems in Chennai under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Out of this, just Rs 633 crore was spent towards the major drainage systems while the corporation used the remaining for storm water drains.
According to reports, three of ten such preventive packages were ideal without even getting started while the others which were started were just at the verge of completion.
There is definitely a connection between these incomplete projects and flooded areas. The Okkiyam Madavu belt remains incomplete for about 5.4 km stretch. According to CAG, all these devastating effects in areas including Velachery, Madipakkam, etc are due to these incomplete works.
While this is the major concern for people across Chennai, there naturally arises a question about how far we are prepared to face another calamity, if at all it happens this year. Reliable sources have researched the arrangements made so far and say that there are very minimal efforts being done so far. For instance, in the past few years, there is considerable narrowing of width of Mugalivakkam canal that reaches the Adyar river close to DLF.
Experts claim Chennai to be a delta region with low attitude. Through Chennai, there is flow of water via Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chennai which gets drained into the sea. When these are properly utilized, it can be a great way to recharge groundwater and store them in tanks. However, if these are not properly addressed by dumping all water bodies with garbage, and making indiscriminate building construction, reclaiming canals, etc, these issues will still continue on and on.
