Desilting of irrigation channels, storm water drains in full swing in Tirunelveli district ahead of monsoon

As the northeast monsoon is likely to set in within a fortnight, the district administration has accelerated the desilting of storm water drains and drainage channels to avert flooding in residential areas of the district.

With memories of the 36-hour-long unprecedented downpour in December 2023 that triggered massive flooding in residential areas of Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai still afresh, along with the lessons learnt, the district administration and Tirunelveli Corporation are now actively involved in removing accumulated wastes from irrigation canals, storm water drains and drainage channels

Since the cloudburst in 2023 helped officials in identifying the vulnerable areas, the district administration is focusing more on them, as the Super El Nino-induced monsoon this time is likely to revive the old memories. While the blocked canals and drainage channels are being cleared to ensure free flow of rainwater, the official machinery is identifying the right places for creating relief camps to relocate the affected population until the situation improves in their locality.

Since Palayam Channel, one of the major irrigation canals of Tamirabharani Basin that originates at Pazhavoor check-dam and irrigates over 10,000 acres, also carries rainwater to the perennial river, Collector Anand Mohan has suggested that TP Solar take care of the desilting of the canal for about 6 km. And the work has started.

Similarly, canals carrying rainwater to Nainarkulam in Tirunelveli Town, which drains the flow in Tirunelveli Town and surrounding areas, is being desilted at a cost of ₹5 lakh.

The Collector has also roped in India Cements to desilt the Tirunelveli Channel, another major irrigation canal of Tamirabharani Basin, for 4 km from Thatchanallur to Kurichchikulam.

After inspecting this exercise on Thursday, Mr. Anand Mohan said the district administration had left no stone unturned in preparing the official machinery to face the northeast monsoon and its possible impact this year. While more attention was being given for clearing clogged irrigation channels and storm water drains, the revenue department had been entrusted with the task of setting up of temporary relief camps to accommodate the rain-hit population at least for a couple of days.

Moreover, other departments such as Fire and Rescue Services, police, public health, public works, local bodies and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation ITangedco) had been given specific instructions that they had to follow scrupulously in case of flooding. “So, we are ready to face any eventuality,” Mr. Anand Mohan said.

Corporation Commissioner Monika Rana on Thursday inspected the desilting of the storm water drain at Kakkan Nagar in Ward 5 that carried the rainwater into Pillaiyankulam canal at Keezhanaththam.

“Any blockage in the canal will result in marooning of over 500 families in and around Kakkan Nagar. Hence, it is being desilted,” Dr. Monika said adding that the exercise in all four zones of Tirunelveli Corporation had reached the final stage.

“We will complete the desilting of all clogged storm water drains, drainage channels and other canals carrying rainwater to the Tamirabharani before the first week of October,” she added.