Floods bring out the best and worst in people

Rain which started after a week-long break has brought out the best and worst in people. On Monday night residents who built their dwellings inside the Karaniapuduchery lake near Perungalathur on the Chennai – Trichy national highway broke the bund to prevent water entering their houses leading to residents nearby being unable to access the road to the national highway. Local resident Nelson said, “The breach was totally expected as the bund can withstand more inflow.”

Pandianathan also of the same area said, “I wonder how we can go to our offices as the breach has cut off access to the national highway.” According to sources, the breach was manmade as there was no chance of the 25 feet thick bund breaking. Though locals, specially those living in low lying areas have been affected and despite the government acting on a war footing, it is a moot question as to whether the situation will improve once the rain lets up.

Though locals complained vociferously about lack of official response, the latter wonder how it would be possible for the limited number of officials to meet everybody at all affected areas. But the consensus is that the suburbs were affected due to permission being granted willy-nilly to construct houses in drainage channels and lakes.

Office goers are most affected as water logging has made them rely on public transport. While buses are out for many due to passengers being jammed inside, autos and taxis make hay while it pours. “An Ola auto man demands Rs.75 more than the metred fare for a trip from Velachery to Egmore on Tuesday,” said K. Rajkumar. In Periyar street near SBI colony in Pammal, water entered houses as roads are either higher or on the same level as houses. “This is the third time this has happened over the last 15 days. We cannot cook and so everyone goes without food as there are no hotels nearby,” she said.

On the plus side, weather bloggers kept the public informed of the latest rain forecast while altruistic individuals guided traffic in waterlogged roads in Alwarpet to prevent them falling into potholes and guiding individuals, specially women to safe routes on water logged routes.