Chennai, 2 July (H.S.) : The Water Resources Department (WRD) has initiated flood mitigation works in South Chennai, aiming to enhance the city's resilience to heavy rainfall and flooding. This move comes as a relief to residents who have been affected by recurrent flooding in the area. The project involves constructing additional bridges, vents and cross-drainage works to improve the city's drainage system.
According to a government order, a sum of Rs 392.16 crore has been allocated for flood mitigation works in Chennai and 13 other districts. This allocation is part of the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP), with Rs 80 crore specifically earmarked for tackling inundation during floods. The WRD will undertake reconstruction of damaged protective works and construction of micro drains to carry out permanent flood restoration work.
Chennai's vulnerability to floods is attributed to its geographical location, heavy rainfall and inadequate drainage systems. The city's flat terrain hinders efficient water drainage, exacerbating the flooding problem. To address this, the Chennai Corporation has been working on relaying the stormwater drain network, which facilitated swift drainage of the core city area during recent floods.
The Chennai Flood Warning System (C-FLOWS), a decision support tool developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Tamil Nadu State Government, provides early warnings for flood mitigation. This system has been instrumental in helping authorities prepare for and respond to flood-related disasters.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
