The Chennai Corporation is set to commission flood sensors in 16 locations across the city, boosting flood preparedness
The civic body has identified two locations in Tiruvottiyur zone, one in Madhavaram, four in Royapuram, two in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, two in Anna Nagar, one in Teynampet, and four in Kodambakkam zone.
“The flood sensors will give real time alerts to civic officials. Using the alerts, efforts will also be made to bale out water to prevent traffic congestion,” said an official.
Chennai Corporation officials have collected data on flooding in Kathivakkam High Road, Manickam Nagar Subway, Vyasarpadi Subway, MC Road Subway, RBI Subway, Gengu Reddy Subway, Stanley Nagar Subway, Ganeshapuram Subway, Perambur High Road Subway, Villivakkam Redhills Subway, Harrington Subway, Nungambakkam Subway, Rangarajapuram Subway, Duraisamy Subway, Madley Subway and Jones Road Subway to finalise the locations for commissioning the sensors.
Drains at 32 locations
The civic body has also identified 306 vulnerable locations that reported water stagnation during the 2015 floods. “We have constructed stormwater drains in only 32 locations. Work on linking some flood-prone areas with canals have also been taken up. More initiatives have to be taken to cope with floods,” said an official.
Meanwhile, TNUIFSL has floated tender through the Chennai Corporation, calling for appointment of consultant to estimate the flood monitoring and water sensors for four river basins in 4,000 sq. km of the city and its suburbs. “A topographic study will be done by the consultant. The estimated timeline for this study is 36 months. It is likely to be completed by December 2020,” said an official.
Officials said the bids were under scrutiny. “We anticipate getting World Bank’s clearance,” another official said.
Officials claimed that the funding for many projects on flood mitigation and preparedness have not been received in the past few years owing to the reluctance of multilateral funding agencies. A few officials, however, attributed the delay to the flaw reported in preparation of detailed project reports by civic agencies.
