The annual initiative to clean the waterways in and around Chennai and a few new stretches outside the city, as part of preparatory measures ahead of the northeast monsoon, has begun.
This year, the government has doubled funding for the monsoon preparedness work to nearly ₹8 crore. Of this, nearly ₹6 crore would be spent to clean the waterways in and around the city and the remaining in Cuddalore region. Besides the confluence points in the Adyar, Cooum river and Buckingham canal near Ennore and Muttukadu, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has decided to clear silt at the mouth of Araniar river to help fishing hamlets near Pulicat lake escape flooding during monsoon. In south Chennai, focus is on Velachery tank, its surplus course and link channel between the waterbody and Pallikaranai swamp to prevent inundation in areas such as Madipakkam and Keelkattalai, officials said.
Nearly 26 channels that link chain of tanks in southern suburbs are being desilted and cleared of floating garbage. “Surplus courses of tanks, including Keelkattalai, Nanmangalam and Sembakkam, are being de-weeded apart from Veerangal Odai. We also plan to remove encroachments wherever required and continue operation till December,” said an official.
Dam shutters repaired
The shutters of four major reservoirs too have been repaired to prevent leaks. Measures are on to mitigate flooding in areas around Porur tank such as Gerugambakkam, Moulivakkam and Manapakkam. also.
The tank’s surplus courses are being cleaned to avoid spillover of flood water, inundating neighbouring areas.
