Chennai: With barely two weeks left for the onset of northeast monsoon, the water resources department has speeded up its pre-monsoon flood mitigation work in various waterways including Adyar river that bore burnt of floods last year.
As part of its pre-monsoon preparatory works every year, WRD takes up deweeding and desilting work in various waterways including Adyar river, Cooum, Buckingham Canal and surplus weir of several waterbodies in the city to prevent flooding. This year, after the massive floods witnessed in the last year, the stat government has allocated Rs 10 crore for the flood mitigation works in the city.
A sum of Rs 6.38 crore has been allotted to the Adyar river that caused severe floods in South Chennai and its suburbs leading to loss lives and property.
The work has been undertaken in the 42 km long Adyar river from its point of origin near Aadhanar surplus weir till Jaffarkhanpet. Official of the WRD said that works are underway in 34 locations in six marco drains carrying flood water from tanks in Kancheepuram district and Chembarabakkam surplus weir joining Adyar river to remove weeds, desilt and strengthen the bunds. “Based on the bitter experience last year, the department has taken up widening of Adyar river in places in Royappa Nagar near Outter Ring Road and Dargah Road to ensure free flow of water. All the obstruction and hurdles on the river will be removed,” the official said, adding that pre-monsoon works would be completed by October 10.
V. Rajasekaran, president of Federation of Varadharajapuram Welfare Associations, said that people living in Varadharajapuram, Mudichur, Tambaram and Manapakkam, severely affected in the last year’s flood, are still living in fear.
“Wednesday night heavy rain reminded them about the December 2015 flood. Families are yet to recover from the economic loss suffered in that massive flood. But lack of preparedness for the ensuing monsoon is giving them sleepless nights,” he said.
“Desliting work taken up by the WRD on Adyar should be carried out in war footing before the onset of the NE monsoon. The entire river stretch should be deepened and vegetation grown on the river should be completely removed. Bunds should be strengthened,” he said, noting that his association members inspected the ongoing works along 14 km stretch between Aadhanur to Thirumudivakkam.
