Workers pump out stagnant rainwater from a waterlogged area in Kodambakkam, Chennai, on Sunday.
Chennai: The city got a preview of what the monsoon could bring, with 10.5cm of rain falling over 24 hours, ending at 6am on Sunday. Because of clogged canals, incomplete drains and stalled work, overnight operations by more than 15,000 Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) staff cleared 35 waterlogged roads and 16 subways, but parts of north Chennai and Velachery remained flooded. The first spell exposed uneven flood preparedness.
GCC data showed Parry’s got 36.3cm of rain, Ennore Kathivakkam 34cm, Meenambakkam 28cm and Central 27.4cm. Of 21 locations that recorded very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, 14 were in north Chennai.
Chief minister C Joseph Vijay later reviewed preparedness at the GCC control room and told officials to track weather updates and keep flood response ready. T K Shanmugam, president of the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Association, said, “The desilting and flood-mitigation work began a few months before the northeast monsoon last year, when there was insufficient machinery to complete them. Velachery, which got 2cm, still saw knee-deep water in streets at Bhuvaneswari Nagar, Ram Nagar, AGS Colony and Tansi Nagar. Water receded within hours as pumps were deployed. GCC commissioner G S Sameeran inspected Prakasham Salai, while municipal administration and water supply secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi visited Vyasarpadi Jeeva. The work was eventually stalled once the rains began. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chennai | Silver Rate in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Petrol Price in Chennai | Diesel Price in Chennai | CNG Price in Chennai | LPG Price in Chennai