Bridge blamed for flooding

While city neighbourhoods are returning to normality, Manapakkam and Kolapakkam are among those that continue to grapple with problems of inundation.

Residents of these localities allege that a bridge across the river has aggravated the situation.

A pedestrian bridge across the Adyar on the rear side of Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Manapakkam, is allegedly the reason for the continuing inundation.

Residents say that the bridge has obstructed the river flow by 50 per cent and this led to a spill-over of water into neighbouring areas.

A portion of the bridge was washed away in the floods on Monday. The river has been carrying a heavy flow since surplus water from the Chembarambakkam reservoir was being let out. The broken bridge across the river in Manapakkam under Chennai Corporation ward no. 157 is said to have been constructed by OTA authorities. Housing colonies such as L&T Colony, RGL Colony- phase I and IAS and IPS officers’ colony that dot the Adyar river bank, along the Manapakkam-Mugalivakkam Road, are inundated as the river is flowing to its full capacity.

Anil Menon, a resident of RGL Colony said the bridge was built by the OTA to connect the Army land located on either side of the river. “We are not sure whether Public Works Department’s nod was obtained for this project. The bridge had obstructed almost 65 per cent of the river’s flow. This changed the course of water and flooded our streets,” he said.

Rajagopal, a member of River View Colony Residents Welfare Association said: “Water had risen to six feet in some pockets, which also houses civil servants, in the last few days. Though water has receded on Thursday, such facilities should be planned without affecting the river flow.”

Meanwhile, a team of Water Resources Department officials inspected the site.

“We will check if a no-objection certificate was issued for the causeway. If not, action will be initiated for not adhering to the norms after issuing a notice,” said an official.

Residents say that the bridge has obstructed the river flow by 50 per cent and this led to a spill-over of water into neighbouring areas.