Workers attempt to reduce waterlogging by clearing a drain in Anna Salai.
Extent of waterlogging has reduced, claims Chennai Corporation
Waterlogging happened in less than 100 locations, instead of the usual 1,000-plus places in the city.
The thundershowers on Thursday did result in waterlogging — but in less than 100 locations, instead of the usual 1,000-plus places.
A sum of ₹3,000 crore has been spent on stormwater drains in the city in the last five years.
According to a Chennai Corporation release, despite the heavy rain, waterlogging was seen at only 37 places by 5 p.m.. The Corporation did not give a number on the places inundated in the morning. Roads that witnessed severe waterlogging included Dr. Besant Road, Poonamallee High Road, Decaster Road, Whites Road, Conron Smith Road, Greams Road, MGR Salai, Ammaiappan Street, P.S. Sivasamy Salai, Nungambakkam High Road and ICF Road.
Egmore MLA K.S. Ravichandran blamed the flooding of the Pulianthope High Road on the delay in desilting stormwater drains. T. Nagar resident V.S. Jayaraman said the Corporation should start desilting stormwater drains in locations inundated in the rain. Roads were also damaged and 18 trees were uprooted in a few localities.
A former urban planner, N. Mathavan, said: “Rainwater harvesting structures developed by the Corporation have not constructed as per Indian Road Congress standards. ”
“There is great improvement compared to any previous year. We have 35,476 workers for reducing waterlogging and rescue operations,” said Corporation Commissioner G. Prakash.
About 20 patients of a private hospital in Shanthi Colony were evacuated to other hospitals after a transformer collapsed.