Chennai’s monsoon preparedness received an on-ground review on Friday as ministers inspected storm water drain works, canal desilting and flood-prevention measures across north and south Chennai amid rain from the northeast monsoon.
Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna inspected flood-prevention measures along the 200-foot Radial Road near Pallikaranai marshland. The inspection focused on ensuring that rainwater from the marshland can move without obstruction through 16 small channels maintained by the Highways Department.
The channels are part of a drainage network serving an area where water flow can be affected by blockages, pending works and the condition of connecting channels. During the inspection, officials were directed to expedite works and maintain clear flows through the channels, according to the report by DT Next.
Commercial Taxes Minister T Lokesh Tamilselvan reviewed storm water drain works on AA Road and at the Ganeshapuram subway in Otteri. He also inspected arrangements to pump out rainwater from collection sumps at Vyasarpadi Junction and Mullai Nagar.
The minister further reviewed flood-prevention works at Captain Cotton Canal and Kodungaiyur South Canal. The focus at both locations was on ensuring the free flow of rainwater as the city receives monsoon showers and concerns remain over water stagnation in low-lying areas.
The inspections covered different parts of Chennai’s flood-management system, including storm water drains, canals, marshland channels, collection sumps and pumping arrangements. Together, these systems are intended to move rainwater away from streets and low-lying areas, although the report did not provide a completion percentage or a consolidated status of pending works.
The Greater Chennai Corporation said flood-relief centres and kitchens had been kept ready with the required facilities. Motor pumps were also being installed to drain water from low-lying areas, according to the report.
The preparedness review comes as the northeast monsoon begins to affect the city. Chennai’s response to heavy rainfall depends not only on the capacity of major drains but also on the maintenance of smaller channels, canal connections, sumps and pumping points. The locations inspected on Friday include transport corridors, subways and neighbourhoods that require drainage systems to function continuously during intense rainfall.
The report also noted that Aadhav Arjuna inaugurated a badminton indoor stadium in Jalladianpet, Perungudi. The facility was built at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore and includes an outdoor gym. The indoor stadium has a reported area of 81.74 square metres.
No revised deadline or project-wise completion schedule for the inspected drainage works was provided in the report. The immediate next steps identified were the expedited completion of pending works, removal of obstructions from rainwater channels and the deployment of pumps and relief facilities in vulnerable areas.
