The Zone 13 of Greater Chennai Corporation, on Sep.23, conducted a monsoon preparedness meeting with the resident welfare associations under its jurisdiction. Many representatives from Ward 168 to 180 attended the meeting that was chaired by Zonal Officer (ZO) / Assistant Commissioner (Zone 13) P.V.Srinivasan. Also present was Councillor of Ward 179, J.Kayalvizhi.
The ZO sought the cooperation of the RWAs and volunteers to help steer through the upcoming monsoon with the following suggestions:
- Educate all residents about safety measures and flood preparedness, e.g., essential provisions to be stocked etc.
- Collaborating with local authorities to monitor drainage systems and water levels.
- Assisting the elderly and differently-abled, during emergencies. The residents were requested to maintain a database of the elderly, differently-abled and pregnant women in their locality and be in touch with them for any help.
- Organising clean-up drives to prevent blockages in water channels. The ZO informed that despite multiple cleanups in water channels, poor civic sense among the public was leading to frequent choking of drains.
The residents also took this occasion to present their issues and questioned about practices in place/lessons learnt from last year’s monsoon. The highlighted issues include:
- SWD issues: No desilting of existing stormwater drains (SWDs), choked catchment pit with tar and mud, catchment pit sealed during road laying, improper slope leading to the drain, no check on sewage being let out into SWDs, disconnected SWDs (especially at Kamaraj Nagar East and Journalist Colony) and insufficient depth of SWD (Kannapa Nagar).
- Sewage issues: Most of the neighbourhood complained of sewage backflow inside residences during monsoon, especially when the roads were flooded. Also overflowing sewage on the roads. The Councillor also informed that they are upgrading pumping stations to tackle the issue.
- EB issues: After the construction of SWDs, the EB lines are out in the open and pose an enhanced risk during monsoon due to: (a) can cause tripping, (b) make pavements not fit for walking, (c) one hopes that the EB wires are well insulated.
- CMRL issues: The residents of 2nd Avenue Indira Nagar pointed out that due to CMRL work, the existing SWD has been rendered useless and the alternative SWD constructed has not been connected with the main pipe. The ZO informed that he would look into it. During the rains of Sep.25, the residents informed that the roads were totally flooded and the water was inches from entering homes. Despite informing the Corporation, help came in late and water did not recede till the wee hours of Sep.26.
- Flooding: Residents pointed out rampant concretisation as the main culprit of flooding, with no place for the water to seep in. Residents of Rukmini Road (Kalakshetra Colony) looked forward to a flood-free monsoon. The Councillor informed that diesel pumps are being readied and will be deployed at the slightest flooding. Residents of Dr.Radhakrishna Main Road and Kalakshetra Road (Thiruvanmiyur) pointed out that flooding prolonged in their areas due to pumping out of water by residences with basements. they suggested that the pumped water must not be let out on the road, but must be collected in tankers and discharged into water bodies. Residents of Karpagam Gardens thanked the GCC for relaying a bigger capacity SWD and for coordinating with Shiv Nadar School and Theosophical to ensure smooth water flow.
- Pruning of trees: The Councillor stated that the GCC had allotted the pruning machine for 3 days each for each ward, however, she has requested it for a longer time as areas like Kalakshetra Colony have more greenery.
- Encroachments: Residents pointed out encroachments on pavements have rendered pavements unfit for walking and this issue is aggravated during monsoon due to the flooding of roads.
- Other issues: Proper desilting of the Buckingham Canal end to end and its maintenance for proper flood mitigation. A check on rainwater harvesting systems in residences as well as commercial establishments to ensure no run-offs and recharge of groundwater. Relaying of all left-out roads with proper slope to prevent waterlogging. Residents also requested the GCC to obtain a GO to clean vacant plot (including private) to ensure their cleanliness, tackle waterlogging and prevent anti-social elements (especially in Velachery areas). They also pointed out that snakes are often seen during monsoon, which bite other animals. They asked for measures to be taken for the voiceless as well. Velachery residents also sought a check on encroachments around water bodies and canals, and ensure that channels were clear and big enough to take the load of water. They also requested the Corporation to prepare for the worst scenario and stock relief places with food and water so that residents don’t need to depend of air-drop of food packets.
The ZO concluded by stating that pumps will be deployed in advance at all places that are prone to flooding and enhanced anti-flooding measures will be deployed from next year onwards. Residents also pointed out that the presence of other stakeholders like TNEB, CMWSSB etc. was essential for constructive discussions in such meetings.
