Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday conceded that the construction of houses on portions of water spread areas of tanks in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts was the cause for floodwater stagnation.
Even though steps were being taken to drain the water, “the government will find a permanent solution after December when the [northeast] monsoon comes to an end,” Mr. Palaniswami told reporters at the Secretariat here, after chairing a high- evel meeting to review the flood relief work in Chennai and the neighbouring two districts.
Pointing out that “Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram were full of tanks,” the Chief Minister said the houses in Chennai’s suburbs were built 20 years or 30 years ago and “not now.”
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Government’s approach
As far as Chennai was concerned, the government’s approach was to take steps for draining the rainwater through the available means “without affecting people and demolishing houses [that are blocking drains].” It was through this approach that the water in the city had been bailed out, he said, appreciating his Ministers and officers in this regard.
For a radius of 25 sq.km, the city was surrounded only by buildings. Stormwater drains had been built only to carry rainwater for an intensity of four cm rainfall. When there were heavy rains, water had to flow only through roads, he explained, giving an account of the status of various projects for the construction of stormwater drains.
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He also mentioned that Chennai experienced, in five days, 56.6 cm rainfall, accounting for about 75% of what the city would get in three months during the current northeast monsoon.
On the Central government’s assistance to the State, the Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Chennai early this week, had enquired about the extent of impact of the latest spell of rain and advised the State government to send a detailed proposal, seeking funds.
‘Minister’s visit not tour’
Asked about the visit of Local Administration Minister S.P. Velumani to Australia at the present juncture, Mr. Palaniswami justified it and said the Minister had gone there to take part in a seminar that would discuss measures to be taken in urban and rural areas in times of rain. “He has gone there for a good purpose… he has not undertaken a tour,” the Chief Minister quipped.