Mon Oct 14 08:21:52 UTC 2024: ## Chennai Faces Flood Risk as Storm Water Drain Construction Lags
**Chennai, October 14, 2024:** With the northeast monsoon approaching, Chennai residents are facing a renewed threat of flooding due to ongoing delays in the construction of critical storm water drains. Despite years of delay, many sections remain incomplete, leaving vital links in the drainage system missing.
One major concern is the lack of a push-through culvert near the Ganesapuram subway in north Chennai. This culvert is crucial for diverting floodwaters from Perambur to the Otteri Nullah, but its construction is stalled pending permission from the Southern Railway. While the Chennai Corporation has prefabricated the culvert components, the delay in securing railway approval for nighttime construction threatens to exacerbate flooding in the area.
Further north, in Korattur, residents are worried about the lack of a drain connecting the Ambattur lake to the Korattur lake. The State government’s proposed alternative to divert water into the Cooum River has been met with resistance, as it is seen as a costly and ineffective solution.
Other areas affected by incomplete drain construction include Ayyavo Colony in Aminjikarai, Velachery, and the Kovalam Basin. In Velachery, the Velachery lake remains full, increasing the risk of flooding. Moreover, the maintenance of the 4-km-long drain on Taramani Link Road is inadequate, hampering water flow from the lake to the Buckingham Canal.
While the Corporation acknowledges the delays and is working on completing missing sections in various zones, the impending monsoon poses a significant threat to the city. Residents are urging the government to expedite the construction of these vital drainage links to prevent another year of widespread flooding and ensure the safety of Chennai’s citizens.
First Piper 