The pockets of Chennai’s Manali are filled with heavy rains
Chennai:
Areas of Manali in Chennai have been partially flooded due to heavy rains in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh as Kosasthalaiyar river inundated many areas after 35,000 cusecs of water was released from Poondi reservoir over the weekend.
In MRB Nagar, NDTV met Vanitha after a police team aboard a boat rescued her and her three children. Water had entered his house and even contaminated water stored in his underground sump.
She went to her mother’s place. “There was so much water. I could not get milk for my children. Snakes and insects have entered the house,” Vanitha told NDTV.
Their neighborhood, an accepted layout, is in knee-to-groin water. Many people like him have left their homes.
Dr. Benjamin, who has a clinic, walks through the water to reach his patients. “The water is just not moving. We are suffering since Saturday. We are unable to go out,” he said.
Dhanlatshmi’s family had gone two years ago, but the construction of the rainy drains has not been completed yet. “If it was accomplished as prescribed we would not suffer like this,” she said.
Mohanshanmukkam said, “The authorities should discuss with the residents the specific water-logging problems and the direction of flow to fix it. They don’t do that.”
This area is full of industries. Many are submerged. The iron and steel godown that NDTV visited had a full stock of water. Many are concerned about the damage caused by the floods. The city has already received 66 per cent more rainfall than the average.
The Meteorological Department has predicted more rain. Chennai Corporation says that the discharge has been reduced and the water will be reduced soon.
They say a Rs 5,000-crore project is connecting several news areas with stormwater drainage networks.
Residents are angry that even after six years of the 2015 floods, no work is still being done. The issue could become a major challenge for the new DMK government, which has so far been blaming the previous AIADMK government for the mess.
,