Poor maintenance of “disposal points on waterways” has reportedly caused waterlogging in many neighbourhoods of the city, according to sources in the Chennai Corporation.
The Chennai Corporation had stopped mechanical desilting this monsoon in many areas, claiming that stormwater will drain from streets through “surface run-off” to waterways.
According to the Chennai Corporation officials, the water level in rivers such as Adyar was 6 to 8 feet lower than that of canals and stormwater drains. Yet many areas such as Gopalapuram, Chintadripet, Vepery, Egmore,T.Nagar and Kilpauk reported waterlogging on Thursday.
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On Thursday, many of the 89 disposal points from drains to the Cooum River, 132 disposal points to the Bucktingham canal and 36 disposal points to the Adyar river were clogged owing to poor maintenance of the disposal points connecting drains and rivers.
Metrorail work
For example, the block in the disposal point near Mundakanniammankoil in Central Buckingham canal has been found to be the reason for water logging in areas such as Gopalapuram. Ripon building reported waterlogging because of the block in drain from Poonamallee High Road near Park Station by Metrorail and poor maintenance of a disposal point on the Cooum near Durbar hotel.
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The disposal points of two arch drains at ABM Avenue near Adyar gate has also not been cleaned ahead of the monsoon.
Officials said the 6 to 8 feet level difference between rivers and drains indicated a “local problem” in maintenance of disposal points of stormwater drains.
Chennai Corporation officials said relief camps have been set up in 230 locations to help affected residents.