Clogged storm water drains raise flood fear

According to public in the suburbs, officials have not learnt any lessons from last year’s deluge and have refrained from clearing storm water drains in their neighbourhoods while work is going on in full swing within city limits.

“There is no proper drainage water system in the suburbs. Further, though some areas have such system, there has been no desilting. The suburbs already lack underground drainage system and sewage water is being let into storm water drain channels,” says P Viswanathan, a civic activist and convener, Chitlapakkam Residents Association Coordination Committee. 

He added that had there been proper storm water drainage in the suburbs, the intensity of the flood would have been less during last year’s floods.

“During rainy season, rainwater and sewage mix and finally it mingles with lake water resulting in water pollution.”

Meanwhile some residents have complained that garbage is dumped in large quantities in these channels, which leads to them getting choked.

“The officials should monitor this properly and appoint enough workers to carry out drainage works,” says M Kannan, a resident of Selaiyur. His house became waterlogged for a week during last December’s heavy rainfall and subsequent floods, as water did not recede despite drainage system. 

When contacted, Chitlapakkam town panchayat president, Mohan claimed they started desilting works ward by ward. 

“We will complete desilting works before monsoon so that residents need not worry about floods,” he said and added that they had appointed workers to clean the garbage choking in the drain canals.