Tondiarpet residents struggle for water even after rain

“The situation was worse six months ago. The taps went dry and we didn’t have any water. We were buying water for the cost of Rs 10 to Rs 20 per bucket. For the past two months, we were buying drinking water from Metrowater and a few political parties also helped us. Our situation has not improved even after the city got rain. Lack of proper rainwater harvesting is the main reason for this. Contractors have closed the opening of stormwater drains with concrete and so there is no way for rainwater to percolate and instead it stagnates on the road,” said Shanthi R, a resident of Varadharajan Perumal Koil Street.

Residents who stay at rented houses are facing the most difficulties. “The motor will be turned on for only 20 minutes in the morning and we have to store water and finish our household work by then. If we run out of water, we must fetch from the Corporation water pump on the next street,” said Uma G, a resident of Lakshmi Koil Street.

However, those who reside at apartments don’t face a water crisis, but they fail to get clean water. “The apartment secretary made alternative arrangements during water crisis a few months ago. But the water is yellow in colour, which we cannot be used for drinking. We must buy drinking water from nearby shops for Rs 35 to Rs 40 or depend on Metrowater, which provides 5 to 6 buckets for two days,” said Nandhini P, a resident of Vaithiyanathan Street.

Speaking to DT Next, AV Ezhumalai, Area Engineer, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Board, said that they haven’t received any complaint so far. “We will visit the area and enquire about the issue,” he said.