Reservoirs in Chennai opened after heavy rains; flood alert sounded

Heavy rains lashed Chennai and its suburban areas overnight, leading to all-round waterlogging and authorities on Sunday sounded a preliminary flood alert to people as three city reservoirs were opened in a phased manner to release surplus water.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inspected several inundated areas along with top officials including Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu and directed authorities to take swift action to drain water.

Stalin, along with cabinet colleagues, distributed flood assistance, including rice, milk and blankets to people in affected areas who were housed in a temporary shelter.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian said Chennai experienced 20cm rain in about 12 hours since Sunday night. According to IMD data, the rainfall ranged between 10cm and 23cm in Chennai and its suburbs.

The Kamarajar Salai point near the Tamil Nadu Secretariat recorded the highest of 23cm and suburban Ennore in north Chennai 10cm.

Some of the suburban locations, including areas covered in nearby Tiruvallur district, received between 3cm (Poondi and RK Pet) and 9cm (Cholavaram). The IMD has given a 'red' category warning, indicating heavy rains, in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry on Sunday.

In view of increase in rains in catchment areas, surplus water was released from Poondi reservoir, which was raised in a phased manner up to 3,376 cusecs of water, the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority said in a tweet.

Similarly, Chembarambakkam and Puzhal reservoirs, two other important sources of drinking water to Chennai city, were opened to let out surplus rainwater, authorities said. They explained the initial release—from both the facilities— was to the tune of about 500 cusecs.

Four teams of National Disaster Response Force have been deployed to assist in rescue operations in case of emergency. One team each in Chengalpet and Tiruvallur and two teams at Madurai are stationed for rescue operations, the TNSDMA said.

While most parts of the city and suburbs witnessed waterlogging, parts of several neighbourhoods in Saidapet, Velachery, Adambakkam, Madipakkam and West Mambalam experienced inundation up to about two to three feet. Several subways were filled with rainwater.

Rainwater also entered several houses in such areas, prompting residents to move out to safer locations. Electricity supply was disconnected to such areas as a precautionary measure.

Stalin, also the DMK president, directed party office-bearers, MPs and MLAs to work in tandem with authorities to address the grievances of people in affected areas.

Sounding a preliminary flood alert, authorities earlier advised district collectors of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to evacuate people living in low-lying areas and house them in safe locations.

Inspecting inundated localities, Subramanian said, "the present scenario is not like what was witnessed in 2015 in Chennai. CM Stalin has directed officials to monitor water level in reservoirs and take necessary steps according to the situation. Civic personnel are on the job to tackle the situation."

From Saturday morning, Chennai and several suburbs in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts witnessed intermittent rains and showers became non-stop since night that led to waterlogging in many areas, inconveniencing people.

Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan and Principal Secretary/Commissioner and Greater Chennai Corporation Gagandeep Singh Bedi were among the top officials who inspected several localities and also monitored draining of water from roads and residential areas.

In 2015, Chennai experienced nightmarish flooding due to heavy rainfall and also release of surplus water into the Adyar River from Chembarambakkam reservoir.