The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Water release from Poondi floods Ambattur colonies

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Water release from Poondi floods Ambattur colonies

J. Malarvizhi

Affected areas are either encroachments or unapproved layouts The water has entered the first and second cross streets, and residents have to wade through knee-deep water to reach the main road

CHENNAI: The release of water from Poondi to Puzhal Eri (Red Hills) has led to inundation of colonies in Ambattur adjacent to the lake.

All affected areas were either encroachments or unapproved layouts, said the authorities concerned.

According to Metrowater statistics, the release of water from Poondi began on February 22 with around 400 cusecs released daily. From March 7 to 25, the amount released has been steady at 385 cusecs every day.

PWD officials said that there had been no breaches in the lake. Inspection had revealed all affected areas to be encroachments on the catchment area of the lake, they said.

Residents of Amarar Rajiv Gandhi Nagar pointed out that parts of their area, which is adjacent to Puzhal Eri and badly affected by the rising water, is covered by the Ambattur Municipality's underground drainage scheme.

Sewerage lines are intended to cover the area till the second cross street. No connections have been given yet though sewerage lines had been laid before the rain flooded the area, making progress impossible.

Water had receded afterwards and had begun to rise again more than fortnight ago, said residents.

The water has entered the first and second cross street, and residents have to wade through knee-deep water to reach the main road.

The area mainly depends on the ground wells for water, said residents, and rising water levels had ruined several of them. Most of the water that is now inundating the residential colonies is contaminated with sewage and garbage, they said.

The release of water from Poondi to Puzhal was halted two days ago. Water had risen above the maximum level during the heavy rains last year.

Some parts of Venkateshwara Nagar Extension and Banu Nagar, currently said to be affected by rising water, were on encroached land or on unapproved layout, said the commissioner of Ambattur Municipality.

Those on unapproved layout might hold pattas for their land, he pointed out.

Officials said no action could be taken since residents had built in a low-level water catchment area without proper permission.

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