Lake Area, nestled on the banks of Vandiyur lake, presents a sight of neglect. Excess water from the tank usually gushes into its streets and adjoining TTC Nagar, causing hardship for residents, whenever it rains.
N. Krishnaveni, president, Lake Area Residents’ Welfare Association, says that there are two spots through which water makes its way into the streets.
“A storm water drain adjacent to Lake View area is fed by surplus water from Sathiyar dam. Since the drain’s entrance to Vandiyur tank is blocked on Melur road, the preventive sand bund on the banks of the storm water drain gives way. This causes flooding in Lake Area,” she says. She points out that Lake Area main road is the only pathway for all residents, leaving them no choice but to wade through the inundated water.
S. Jaya, another resident, points to excess water arriving from Vandiyur tank to be another major cause of flooding. Having resided in Lake Area since the 1990s, she says that water will initially never enter their homes.
A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) says that the Lake Area was formerly the ayacut area for thousands of farmers who would sow paddy.
“With urbanisation, residents began living in spaces close to Vandiyur lake, lured by good groundwater availability. Residents have suffered immensely when the tank has gone dry in the past,” he says.
He adds that their current problem arises from lack of proper compliance of orders by those maintaining the tank. “The PWD was given the task of deepening and maintaining the tank so that enough water can be stored during monsoon. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court also ordered the PWD to ensure that the height of the bund near T. M. Nagar and Melamadai is increased by one foot so as to prevent flooding of Gomathipuram, Vandiyur and Tahsildar Nagar. Since these are more populous areas, they were given attention. Lake Area was ignored and bund height was not increased,” he says.
He adds that since the bund is not high in these parts, water naturally finds its way into Lake Area. Deepening is the only permanent solution, he opines.
“Water stagnates in many empty plots. Because of the inflow, it is common to spot a variety of animals. Snakes and rats are a regular sight in our homes,” says S. Kannan, a resident.
Ms. Jaya adds that the area is infested by mosquitoes as soon as it gets dark. Several elderly people and young school children could be susceptible to diseases like dengue and swine flu, she apprehends.
A Corporation official says that the civic body intends to work with the PWD to swiftly complete the deepening of the tank.
“We have already addressed the issue of increasing the height of the tank bund. The proposal should arrive soon. Fogging will be done in the area regularly henceforth,” she says.
