While the GCC authorities have concentrated on de-silting SWD and constructing the new ones, they have totally ignored the canals. Truth is that this caused floods in many localities in Chennai such as Pulianthope, Kodambakkam, T. Nagar, West Mambalam and Teynampet etc. Information is that these areas are located near to the canals. Even in the afternoon on Thursday, the rain water did not drain well in these places and created many issues for the public.
It is learnt that the canals were full of water and did not drain water into the rivers. Point is that the rivers were full of water due to the release of water from the reservoirs. As a result, various neighbourhoods in the city that are present near the canals were flooded. Most parts of Chennai remained free from inundation.
Since Wednesday night in the last 24 hours, Chennai city received 7.8cms of rainfall. In just 12 hours nearly 6.5 cm of rainfall was recorded. Until the afternoon on Thursday, 15 roads in places such as T. Nagar, West Mambalam and Kodambakkam including Brindavan Street, Bazullah Road etc remained inundated.
It was mentioned by some officials that the neighbourhoods from where the rain water drained into Cooum River through SWD were not flooded. In those areas where SWD are linked to the Adyar River, the situation was different. According to GCC chief engineer Mr. S. Rajendiran when the water comes from an upstream river then the current would be faster and water from the adjoining drains would go out slowly only. He shed light about the water that drained into the Mambalam canal. He concluded that the disposal time was not as desired and water got held up in Chennai.
Mr. Anand, GCC assistant engineer of ward 133 spoke about how no flow in the canal has led to water stagnation in Thyagaraya Road, Dr. Nair Road etc. It is learnt that lower areas within T. Nagar such as Bazullah Road, TP. Road and GN Chetty Road etc had more water.
By afternoon, the number of inundated roads in Chennai got reduced from 100 to 30. Truth is that water that was present on atleast 8 out of 15 roads receded. This happened after water release levels were reduced in Chembarambakkam. Seventy foot road in Kolathur, Stephenson Road etc were inundated due to heavy rains in north Chennai. Otteri Nullah and Thanikachalam canals were full of water.