The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Action taken to prevent flooding, says Jayalalithaa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 04, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Action taken to prevent flooding, says Jayalalithaa

Special Correspondent

Corporation asked to open relief centres

CHENNAI: As the unprecedented rain led to huge inflows in the Chembarambakkam lake, the Government has taken action regulate the outflow through the Adyar river in such a way that flooding is avoided, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said here on Saturday.

In a statement issued after a review meeting with officials, Ms. Jayalalithaa said people living in the low-level areas along the river had been evacuated by the Corporation authorities and the police.

Despite rainfall of 28 cm, as recorded at the Meenambakkam station in the last 24 hours, most subways were functional, and traffic flowing normally.

Areas still inundated

Arrangements were being made to restore traffic in the Ganesapuram, Erukkanchery, Madley Road and Aranganathan subways after pumping out the water.

Areas such as West Mambalam and Velacherry were still inundated. However, the water was receding fast.

"I also reviewed the position in Chennai city, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts following the torrential downpour in the last 24 hours.

In Chennai, because of heavy inflows into the Virugambakkam canal from the Maduravoyal lake, the canal overflowed, flooding the Inner Right Road, MMDA Colony, Ayyappan Nagar and Sai Nagar areas."

"I have instructed the Public Works Department to divert the water from the Maduravoyal lake into the Cooum river and take simultaneous action to pump out water from the inundated areas."

She directed the Corporation to open relief centres wherever necessary and provide food packets to those affected.

Boats being used

She had received reports that Madipakkam, near Tambaram, and Manapakkam in Kancheepuram district were marooned. Boats available with the Fisheries Department and the Fire and Rescue Services Department had been pressed into service. Boats had been requisitioned from the Navy to supplement the rescue and relief efforts.

Twenty relief centres had been opened in Kancheepuram district, and about 5,000 people were being provided food.

People from 10 villages in the Pulicat area in Tiruvallur district had been evacuated and accommodated in Ponneri. Ambattur and Maduravoyal areas were also affected.

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