Shocking!! Flood threat in Chennai core areas as SWD outfalls get blocked!!
Posted on: 08/Aug/2024 9:10:19 AM
The ongoing metro rail construction works have led to blocks in the 30 major storm water drains or SWD outfalls now in Chennai. As a result, major core places in Chennai face threat of floods in this upcoming monsoon season.
In this scenario yesterday, GCC has set up a 5 member expert committee to study the outfalls plus to assess damaged drains and to provide a solution before the monsoons sets in by the middle of October.
5 member committee and their functions:
It must be taken into account that this 5 member committee consists of members of the Commissionerate of Revenue Administration, IIT Madras, GCC, CMRL and TNRDC. These members would start the field inspections soon. A temporary solution would be found by them till CMRL completes its work by 2026. Later on, permanent measures would be proposed by the committee members.
According to IITM civil engineering dept professor Mr. Balaji Narasimhan, there are multiple drains with lateral connectivity and some of the SWD`s have been broken due to metro rail works. He added that inspections would be carried out first to provide best solutions.
It was brought out by Mr. T. Kanthimathinathan, a consultant from CRA that Venkatnarayana Road in T. Nagar, Venus Colony in Teynampet, Poes Garden and Teynampet have been affected by metro rail works. He mentioned that flow to Mambalam canal (an important disposal point in Venkatnarayana Road) has been disrupted by the metro works.
Truth is that this can lead to damage to the road and to other close by streets etc. The drains are blocked due to underground metro rail station construction works. Additional pumps might be used by GCC to divert water through the 2km Nandanam canal.
There are several stretches in Chennai that have been affected such as Radhkakrishnan Salai, Otteri, Sembiyam, Arcot Road, Mylapore, Purasawalkam High Road etc. This was as per the CRA consultant. It is shocking to mention that the Buckingham Canal at Mundakanni Amman koil has been blocked and due to this there could be flooding at places like Luz Church, Poes Gardens, Venus Colony etc.
