The rain-ravaged city may have a brief respite as rains may decrease on Sunday.
On Saturday, the observatories in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam received 9.8 mm and 15.2 mm between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Though the rainfall was intermittent, it left the roads battered and potholed, making them extremely unsuitable for motorists.
The Meteorological department forecasts that north coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, may have less rain on Sunday. The trough of low pressure extending from Comorin area to west central bay of south coastal Andhra Pradesh across Gulf of Mannar and southwest bay of Tamil Nadu coast persists. This would bring more rain to south Tamil Nadu.
Residents of some areas complained that incomplete storm water drains had led to inundation even after a spell of rain. S. Kesavram of Mahalingapuram said the trenches dug for constructing the drains remain open and the construction materials are left on the road. The incomplete work, which was started two years ago, has led to water logging in many streets. Residents want the civic body to clear the construction materials and also take up patchwork on damaged portions of roads.
Meanwhile, former Mayor M. Subramanian, in a release, had charged the Corporation with apathy towards tackling monsoon related woes. He said the present civic body administration had failed to expedite work to construct a storm water drain network. Residents have had to endure civic woes of frequent sewage flow, silted storm water drains and resulting dengue fever, he added. “The Corporation must wake up to the urgent needs of the people and expedite works before the monsoon intensifies in the city,” he said.
However, minister for municipal administration and rural development K.P. Munusamy said as the desilting works were completed ahead of schedule, water stagnation on the roads has been alleviated. As per the instructions of the Chief Minister, he said, motor pumps were kept ready to pump out water from subways. The Corporation and the city police are jointly taking measures to avoid traffic snarls owing to uprooted trees, he added.
