The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has expedited work on linking stormwater drains (SWDs) in 68 locations across the city to prepare for the onset of the Northeast monsoon. It has completed work on linking SWDs at 37 of the 102 locations identified with missing links across the city.
At a meeting on monsoon preparedness on Tuesday, GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran directed officials to expedite the work and instructed all zonal assistant commissioners and regional deputy commissioners to focus on last-mile preparedness, accountability, coordination, and immediate response.
“Zonal officers will personally inspect locations where connectivity has been provided and ensure that water actually flows into the receiving drain or waterway. All zonal assistant commissioners and regional deputy commissioners should ensure that the works are completed on a war-footing, with particular attention to vulnerable locations and last-mile preparedness,” Dr. Sameeran said.
Connectivity works have been taken up at 105 locations covering 922 metres. Desilting works are being carried out on 1,683 km of SWDs. Of this, work has been completed on 1,102 km so far. Desilting works in 1.10 lakh silt catch pits were fully completed in the first phase. In the second phase, desilting has been completed in 65,076 silt catch pits so far.
To facilitate the smooth flow of stormwater, desilting and removal of water hyacinth have been carried out in 44 waterways maintained by the GCC, 13 canals maintained by the Water Resources Department, and the Cooum, Adyar, and Buckingham Canal.
Desilting works have been taken up in the drains passing through 28 railway minor bridges, of which desilting has been completed in six drains so far.
Improvement works have been taken up for 8,439 metres in the Captain Cotton Canal, Secretariat Colony Canal, Otteri Nullah and Virugambakkam Canal. Improvement works have been completed for 6,977 metres. Likewise, improvement works have been taken up in 83 water bodies. So far, 51 water bodies have been improved, while works are in progress in 32 water bodies.
Motor pumps have been installed and are being monitored in 19 GCC subways and five Highways Department subways to drain water immediately which accumulated due to rainfall.
Besides, works are being undertaken by allocating ₹100 crore as part of Northeast monsoon preparedness measures in the zones.
A total of 109 water collection sumps equipped with motor pumps have been kept ready. Construction of three additional water collection sumps is in progress and will be completed by the end of this month.
Motor pumps for draining rainwater have been kept ready in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging. For emergency rescue and relief operations, 36 boats of the GCC and 256 boats of the Fisheries Department have been kept ready.
As many as 504 motor pumps of various horsepower capacities, 172 electric motor pumps, and 150 motor pumps have been hired on a rental basis, and 500 tractor-mounted motor pumps have been kept ready.
A total of 215 relief centres have been kept ready. In addition, 111 community kitchens have been kept ready to provide food to the public accommodated at these relief centres.
Measures are being taken to repair damaged or vulnerable electrical wires and cables and to raise the height of electrical distribution boxes in vulnerable locations. Branches of dangerous trees that are likely to fall due to rainfall have been pruned and removed. Branches of 60,141 trees have been pruned.
An online application has been developed by GCC for the registration of volunteers to undertake relief operations, and the registration process is currently underway. Monitoring activities are being carried out through the Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC) established at the Ripon Building and three Regional Offices.
The civic body has asked residents to call 1913 helpline to complain about civic issues during the monsoon. Complaints on social media platforms such as X, Facebook and Instagram will also be resolved. GCC will prepare a zone-wise list of all vulnerable, low-lying locations, including previous waterlogging points (290), and ensure appropriate pumps, manpower and machinery are pre-positioned before rainfall, said Dr. Sameeran.
Published – September 23, 2026 05:30 am IST
