GCC receives over 1,200 complaints of civic issues owing to heavy rain on December 1

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) registered an increase in the number of complaints about civic issues owing to heavy rain in the city on Monday.

More than 1,200 complaints about civic issues were registered by residents in the 15 zones of the city on Monday. Usually, the GCC receives around 700 complaints from residents every day during the Northeast monsoon. The civic body has asked residents to call the 1913 helpline to complain about civic issues during rain.

The GCC compiled a list of 38 complaints on social media. Over 175 complaints were received on the Namma Chennai App during the rain on Monday. Around 900 complaints were received on the 1913 helpline. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu on Tuesday.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected various locations where residents complained about waterlogging, including Tana Street, Purasawalkam in ward 78, Chellappa Street in ward 76, Otteri Brick Kiln Road and inspected the Otteri Nullah. He also visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre on the premises of Ripon Buildings and spoke to residents who complained about civic issues during the rain and ordered officials to resolve civic issues immediately.

Ward 99 councillor Parithi Illamsurithi said many roads in Purasawalkam were flooded. “Residents have demanded a pumping station at the Old Law College Hostel land on Millers Road to resolve the issue of flooding caused by Metro Rail work. Five 100-HP motors have been installed in my ward. Once the water stagnation in Millers Road, Barnaby Road, and Alagappa Road is resolved, water level in our ward will reduce,” he said.

Parts of Arcot Road experienced severe waterlogging following the heavy rain that began late on Sunday. In some areas, including the temporary bus shelter in Virugambakkam set up due to ongoing Metro Rail construction and near the Vadapalani bus depot, commuters had to wade through knee-deep water. Several areas in T. Nagar were also affected by flooding. On Habibullah Road, parents were seen struggling to navigate the flooded stretch with their children outside a private school.

Further, parts of Mount Road, such as near Teynampet Metro Station faced inundation. Mani, an autorickshaw driver, said as this was the arterial road for the city, it was always congested, but due to waterlogging, navigating potholes was difficult. Vandikaran Street in Guindy saw waterlogging in the afternoon, but water began draining from 7 p.m., said Manju, a resident of a nearby locality.

B. Narayanan of Sholinganallur said: “Old Mahabalipuram Road was flooded badly during the heavy rain, water flowed a river with enormous velocity. The road surface had been damaged at several locations, including the Thoraipakkam RRE Bus Stop. In the evening, the only one lane of the stretch from Sholinganallur junction was open to traffic due to waterlogging.”

Residents of areas such as Triplicane near Ice House shared videos of waterlogged roads, such as Dr. Besant Road, on social media.