Chennai: DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Friday called on Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah and sought a judicial probe led by a sitting high court judge over the ‘delayed’ release of excess water from Chembarambakkam dam, which allegedly led to heavy flooding in several parts of the city.
“I urge you to constitute a Commission of Inquiry headed by a sitting high court judge to probe the reasons for the delayed opening of the sluice gates of Chembarambakkam reservoir, fix accountability and determine the compensation to be distributed to the flood affected people,” he said, in his memorandum submitted to the Governor, a copy which was the party later circulated to the media.
Karunanidhi, like most others in the Opposition, charged that in the last week of November when Chennai witnessed moderate showers, the discharge volume from Chembarambakkam reservoir was trammeled. After the heavy rainfall on December 1, a huge volume of surplus water - approximately 29,000 cusecs in a short span of time was let out, resulting in heavy flooding in Chennai.
Against this backdrop, Karunanidhi alleged that the PWD did not take any “precautionary steps” for staggered release of water in advance, despite forecast of heavy rains and experts’ caution over the dam’s capacity. Emerging out of Raj Bhavan, Karunanidhi told reporters that the Governor had informed him that he would take appropriate action after going into the memorandum.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
