Chennai’s Vivekananda College was prepared to face Cyclone Ditwah

Have you noticed an aluminium gate at the main entrance of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College on PS Sivasamy Salai in Mylapore? This additional gate, of recent origin, is a flood gate barrier the college management procured before the monsoon to prevent rainwater from invading the campus.

For some years, the college has been pursing the issue of inundation with civic agencies including Greater Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitian Water Supply and Sewage Board as water from surrounding areas would enter the campus during heavy rains.

“Work was carried out on the drainage network in the area but we did not see the desired result. The engineers were of the opinion that nothing much can be done as this is a low-lying area,” says Swami Dhyanagamyananda, secretary, RKMVC.

With a gush of water often mixed with sludge the campus would come under sheets of dirty water. “Every now and then when the rain relents, water would be pumped out with the help of a pumping station nearby. But we wanted a long-term solution and that is when I came across this flood gate barrier,” says the secretary.

The college is immensely happy with this new stop gate at the entrance that ensures water from outside stays outside. “There is water in the college in the event of rain but it is our own water not sewage mixed sludge flowing into our compound,” says the secretary.

The gate can be assembled and dismantled. “This gate was made possible with the contribution of alumni,” says the Secretary, grateful for the support he got once he posted the message in the alumni website.

Connecting with old students

Ever since a dedicated website alumni.rkmvc.ac.in was opened in 2023, the platform has connected many classmates.

“We have 4,000 old students registered with us so far and we want more old students to connect with us,” says V. Krishnan, chief coordinator, Alumni Association Governing Body. The portal, he says, is used by members to post their requirement, share opportunities and contribute towards the alma mater.