Heavy rain leaves lakes around Chennai brimming

Water from the lake entered 200 houses located close to it. Due to flooding, people living at Sekkadu and Kavarapalayam were not able to step out of their houses.

Besides, the flooding disrupted traffic on arterial Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road and bus services between Avadi and Tiruvallur were suspended. “PWD officials have taken steps to seal the breach with sand bags,” said Avadi municipal chairman Nassar.

Incessant rain that began on Thursday night brought copious inflows into water bodies. The city received 15 cm rain as per the recordings in Nungambakkam while Kancheepuram and Red Hills recorded 34 cm and 21 cm rain. Several lakes in Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram such as the sprawling Rettai Eri, Korattur Lake and Madurantakam Eri received copious inflows. Korattur and Retteri lakes, which dried up in summer, are brimming with water thanks to heavy rain.

“Excess water from Korattur lake is being conveyed to Retteri through surplus canal,” an official said. According to PWD officials, Madurantakam lake has filled to its full capacity for the first time after four years.

“Since the water level touched full capacity of 23 feet, excess water of 3000 cusecs is being released. We have given flood alert to 10 villages including Kathiracheri, Mulli, Kavathoor and Devathoor that are located along the banks,” the officials said.