North Chennai Inundation Due To Heavy Rains In Short Time: Minister Rajmohan
During the rains, water indentation takes place at several places in Chennai and the government has taken precautionary measures.
Chennai: Minister A. Rajmohan on Sunday said inundation of water at some places in North Chennai was due to a large quantity of rains in a short time on Saturday night and the government acted very quickly to drain the water. He said the water level at some places like Pudupet was up to the waist and it was pumped out in a few hours and before 6 am on Sunday.
At most places, the waterways and storm water drains were blocked by sludge and garbage, mainly plastic covers, bottles and clothes. They were removed quickly to enable the smooth draining of rainwater, he said, addressing the media in the city. The water inundated in 20 subways which are major routes for the people were cleared at around 6 am and the government officials along with the Corporation workers have cleared most of the roads.
Rajmohan said at some places the houses lie at a lower level than the streets and roads, adding the water has entered those houses. Even though the workers had drained the water on the road, water remains stagnant at such houses. The NGO groups and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) partymen are also taking steps to help the people of those houses to drain the water from their houses.
Responding to a question, the minister denied that the review meetings were not conducted on time, adding periodic meetings were conducted on the preparations for the north-east monsoon rains. He said since the 100 HP motor sets were placed, the situation is much better.
During the rains, water indentation takes place at several places in Chennai and the government has taken precautionary measures. At major places like subways, the government has installed CCTV and is monitoring the situation from the war room. Those who are in the war room get immediate information about the water level in the subways and the officials go to the field to drain the water during the heavy rains on Saturday, the minister said.
He said the health camps on dengue would be held soon and the holidays for the schools would be determined based on the weather report. At some places the problems of drinking water coming out from the pipes are mixing with the sewage and action is being taken to solve such issues. The water draining works would continue in future to avoid inundation and floods, he asserted.
Revenue minister K.A. Sengottaiyan said the disaster management and flood mitigation works had been taken up throughout the state and more than one lakh personnel are involved in it. About 250 boats and fishermen for rescue works are kept ready.
