GCC, Fisheries Dept. begin identifying flood-prone areas for monsoon preparedness

As the Chennai Corporation, with the support of the Fisheries Department, has started identifying flood-prone areas to deploy boats and rescue teams this Northeast monsoon, residents have demanded improved coordination between the civic agencies for monsoon preparedness in unattended areas.

The Chennai Corporation has identified 87 locations that are likely to get flooded in the event of excessive rainfall this year, and is expected to get support from the Fisheries Department, Metrowater, and other agencies to rescue flood-affected residents.

The Fisheries Department officials said that they had written to the Corporation to send a list of flood-prone areas to take precautionary measures, including deployment of boats, to rescue residents, after several cities reported flooding this year. The Fisheries Department will deploy 146 boats across the city.

Federation of Thoraipakkam Residents’ Welfare Associations president A. Francis said the boats reached only after three days of flooding in Thoraipakkam, Anand Nagar, Vinayaga Nagar, Balaji Nagar, and MCN Nagar in ward 193 in 2023.

“I have increased the height of my house by five feet to reduce the risk of flooding. In 2023, the flood level in the streets was four feet. The water receded after four days. Teams with boats and heavy vehicles should be readied ahead of the onset of the monsoon. Our area was left unattended for three days,” he said.

This year, residents have demanded that the GCC and the Fisheries Department mobilise teams and deploy boats ahead of the monsoon in coordination with the residents’ associations.

Vinayaga Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association secretary S. Dandapani said boats were not sufficient to rescue residents and supply essential commodities during the floods in 2023.

“After the construction of additional storm-water drains in our area for carrying floodwaters from other areas, the residents are worried about flooding. More water is expected to flow through our area,” he said.

Ward 4 councillor R. Jayaraman said boats were deployed to rescue residents as several areas in Tiruvottiyur were flooded in 2023. “The civic agencies should improve coordination to mitigate the impact of flooding,” he said.

Ward 84 councillor J. John said delay in the construction of three railway culverts has led to a rise in flood risk, requiring the deployment of boats and heavy vehicles in flood-prone areas such as Korattur. “The Regional Deputy Commissioner inspected Korattur and said the GCC and the Railways would construct only one of the three culverts this year. So we need to be prepared with boats and heavy vehicles to rescue residents,” he said.