North Chennai flooding triggered by intense overnight rain was cleared from 20 subways and several major roads before 6 am on Sunday, Tamil Nadu minister A. Rajmohan said, while officials continued draining water from low-lying homes and addressing blocked storm-water channels.
Rajmohan said the inundation occurred after a large quantity of rain fell within a short period on Saturday night. Water levels reached waist height in some locations, including Pudupet, but pumping operations removed the water within a few hours, he said while addressing the media in the city.
The minister attributed the disruption at several locations to sludge and garbage blocking waterways and storm-water drains. Plastic covers, bottles and clothes were among the material removed by workers to restore the flow of rainwater. Corporation personnel and government officials also cleared most affected roads, he said.
The immediate clearance of roads and subways did not resolve all problems for residents. Rajmohan said some houses in North Chennai are situated below the level of surrounding streets and roads, allowing floodwater to enter homes. Even after water was drained from roads, stagnant water remained inside some houses. Non-governmental organisation groups and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party workers were helping residents remove the water, he said.
The flooding also affected 20 subways that serve as important routes for residents. The government is monitoring these locations through CCTV cameras connected to a war room, according to Rajmohan. Officials receive information about water levels and are sent to the field to begin pumping and drainage operations during heavy rain.
Rajmohan rejected suggestions that review meetings on monsoon preparedness had not been held on time. He said periodic meetings had taken place in preparation for the north-east monsoon and that conditions had improved after 100-horsepower motor sets were deployed. He added that drainage work would continue to reduce inundation and flooding in the future.
The minister also said health camps focused on dengue would be held soon. Decisions on school holidays would be based on weather reports. In some locations, drinking water from pipelines was mixing with sewage, and action was being taken to address those problems.
Revenue minister K.A. Sengottaiyan said disaster-management and flood-mitigation work had been undertaken across Tamil Nadu. More than one lakh personnel had been deployed for the response, while about 250 boats and fishermen were kept ready for rescue operations, he said.
The next stages of the response include continued water drainage, health camps and monitoring of subways and other vulnerable locations as rain conditions evolve.
