Greater Chennai Corporation coordinates with other departments to resolve civic issues
Following the first widespread heavy rains this Northeast monsoon, the Greater Chennai Corporation received as many as 401 complaints as of November 15. This includes 276 complaints about water stagnation, 97 about faulty streetlights, 16 about trees, 5 about sewage overflow and 4 complaints about power supply disruption. Corporation Commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan told the media persons that the GCC officials are coordinating with the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and the Electricity department to resolve issues on sewage flow and junction boxes. The GCC is also addressing the issues related to the repair of potholes. Meanwhile, the CMWSSB deployed 2,149 field workers to engage in the maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure and started operating 24-hour helplines (1916 and 044-45674567) to enable residents to register complaints related to water supply and sewage disposal during Northeast monsoon.
Source: The Hindu
Read more: Frontline workers in Chennai battle the rains with poor support and scarce empathy
Flocks of migratory birds surprise bird watchers in Pallikaranai marshland
To the surprise of many bird watchers in Chennai, the roosting and nesting of a couple of migratory birds began at Pallikaranai marshland even before the nest building began in Vendanthangal bird sanctuary. Meanwhile, with the arrival of more than 50 species of migratory birds in Pallikaranai marshland and Perumbakkam wetland, the Forest Department has deployed anti-poaching watchers in both these places. The Forest Department officials also inspected the five watchtowers at Pallikaranai Marshland, two of which are in a dilapidated condition. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, said that the watchtowers would be renovated.
Source: Times of India | The Hindu
Public toilets in Chennai to get a facelift
In a bid to get a green rating from the Indian Green Building Council, the GCC is planning to give a facelift to 3,270 public toilets in 370 locations. These toilets will not only have natural lighting but also be odour-free. To get the green certification, the toilets should have an eco-friendly design, free air circulation, natural lighting, and foul smell evacuation through natural draft, solar lighting, and water reuse. Notably, the customers using these public toilets may not have to pay.
Source: Times of India
Read more: Revamping the public toilets of Chennai
210 tonnes of cracker waste collected in Chennai during Diwali
As many as 210 tonnes of cracker waste was collected from across 200 wards in Chennai during the Diwali festival. Valasaravakkam and Alandur areas in Chennai contributed to the highest collection with 29 tonnes and 26.9 tonnes respectively. A day after Diwali, the air quality index (AQI) for Chennai deteriorated to ‘poor’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) real-time air quality monitoring data.
Sources: Times of India | DT Next
Influenza cases surge in Chennai
According to a recent survey conducted in Chennai, there is a surge in influenza cases resulting in a high number of hospitalisations. As many as 300 people with cold, cough and fever were tested. Of this, nearly half tested positive for Influenza A – one of the four types of influenza. Among those with Influenza A, the most commonly seen strains were H3N2, which causes the common flu, and H1N1. Following this, the health department has established treatment protocols for different categories of flu. Notably, the survey also found an increase in cases of dengue and respiratory ailments caused by other viruses.
Source: Times of India
[Compiled by Shobana Radhakrishnan]