Chennai: The Chennai corporation believes that water stagnation reported in many areas in the city during the short, but intense, rainfall recorded in the last three days, was due to high coastal tides.
Officials told DC that powerful water extraction pumps were put to use in as many as 191 locations in the city on Friday alone. "Around 54 locations were in zone nine (Teynampet)," an official said.
The data goes against the local body's claims of having proper stormwater drain mechanism in place, at least in the core city limits of which Teynampet is a part of. But, it was not the case and stagnation was reported in the low-lying areas as usual and a short spell of rainfall capable of once again inundating the city and its traffic movement.
"The canals were flowing to its full capacity but high tides in the sea caused backflow of water into the storm water drains. Hence, there was stagnation for more than the usual time that it takes to drain away. But, many roads, where previously stagnation was reported, were relatively free from flooding," an official said.
"Complete hogwash," is what C.R. Aditya, a resident of Karpagam Avenue in RA Puram had to say about the official stance. "The stormwater drain in my locality was laid after the new council came to power, in 2012. For one year, it was ok but in the last couple of years, even a short spell of rain completely submerges the road," he added.
Besides, not all of the 160 pumps which the local body claims to have on standby is owned by it. "We own three 50 HP pumps. The rest is rented from a contractor on a per hour rate basis. It is only during the monsoon that we need this equipment hence we never stocked it up needlessly," an o fficial said.
