Articles by Athira Johnson

In the aftermath of the devastating floods caused by Cyclone Michaung in Chennai, where many faced property damage and lost their belongings, the path to recovery is daunting. Getting back what one has lost in a natural disaster is not an easy process, but can be done with some planning. The struggle is real, but there is hope — insurance claims can be a crucial lifeline, helping residents recover some of the losses and find closure. According to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), in response to the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, insurance companies have been directed…

Covid-19: TN reports 18 new cases, active total rises to 77 On Tuesday, 18 individuals in Tamil Nadu tested positive for COVID-19, contributing to a cumulative total of 77 active cases. Among the newly reported cases, Tiruvarur recorded nine, while Chennai documented five, Tiruvallur two, and Coimbatore and Villupuram each reported one case. A thorough examination of 230 samples took place across the state. As of the latest available data from Monday, Tamil Nadu's overall test positivity rate was registered at 2.3%. Source: The Hindu Rare venomous marine life surfaces at Chennai's Besant Nagar beach At Chennai's Besant Nagar beach,…

Jayakumari* from Velachery recalls the horrific moments of December 5th, when floodwaters filled the streets adjacent to her house and the long power cut that ensued worsened her unhealed wounds from mosquito bites. A chronic diabetic, she has been advised by her doctor to stay indoors to prevent accidents and avoid aggravating her health condition. She dreads the rain, as the stagnant water brings in the mosquitoes. "I use a crutch to walk and because the electricity was out for 72 hours, I was just using my sari to fan my injured leg to ease the pain. The size of…

With the threat of global warming looming large and countries looking at fewer greenhouse gas emissions, the world is moving towards electric vehicles (EVs). The Indian government, aligning with its commitment to emission reduction and a shift away from fossil fuels, actively advocates for the widespread adoption of EVs. In recent years, EVs have gained significant popularity as a cleaner mode of transportation in Chennai too. But, the shift has been slower and cautious compared to other metros — high cost of EVs, lack of charging points throughout the city and the recent spate of fire accidents involving these vehicles…

In the past three months, the city has witnessed several instances of cattle attacks, some of them grave. Last month alone, at least three such incidents were reported from different localities in Chennai — one of them involved an elderly, speech and hearing impaired person, who was hit by a cow in Triplicane and suffered injuries (he later died in a city hospital of complications from other health issues). The urban challenges posed by stray cattle in public spaces have stumped both the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and citizens, while cattle owners, concerned about their livelihood, shy away from taking…

As the city continues to grow and evolve, so does the need for robust fire safety preparedness. Chennai has had its fair share of fire accidents, claiming lives and gutting properties. This Diwali weekend, the fire department received more than 100 calls, most of them for minor incidents. According to the data from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, there has been a noticeable uptick in fire mishaps over the past few years. In 2022, Tamil Nadu recorded over 19,206 fire-related emergencies, and 67 lives lost to fire hazards. Property worth 29.76 crores was lost, underlining the financial impact…

Every time the rainy season brings its share of thundershowers and gusty winds, Roshni Pillai, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur is wary of taking her three-year-old out of the house. Last year, the little girl caught a respiratory infection during the monsoons, which took a while to resolve. "Children are vulnerable to seasonal infections, especially during the monsoons and we are being careful so that the severe cough and runny nose do not come back," says Roshni. With the onset of the rainy season, diseases tend to surge, creating health concerns for residents. Meanwhile, Chennai's public health system is also gearing…

Chennai's lakes, once the lifeblood of the city, have been disappearing because of decades of neglect, encroachment and pollution. Worried about the state of these shrinking water bodies, many dedicated citizens and organisations have made efforts to revive them. From restoration projects to community-led initiatives, Chennai's journey in lake revival is ongoing, with some successful efforts and some riddled with challenges.  Chennai's lake restoration initiatives In response to the 2015 floods, the city initiated many lake restoration projects to mitigate urban flooding and enhance the holding capacity of the city's large lakes.   The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and…

Chennai sees a huge influx of people who move to the city to study and work. Those who move here often stay in one of the many hostels that can be found across the city.  The hostels advertise themselves as a home away from home, with all the necessary amenities and safety and security. While some hostels deliver on their promises of a comfortable stay, others leave residents with a litany of grievances. Numerous residents shared their unfavourable experiences in hostels seemingly prioritising profit over resident satisfaction. While there have been attempts to regulate their functioning, the past efforts have made…

Srivatsan Shankar, a photographer based in Chennai, was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of six. Shankar faces many challenges in navigating daily life in Chennai, right from understanding announcements at railway stations to the use of opaque structures rather than glass in many spaces which impedes his ability to lip-read or receive visual cues. At “Design for All," an event that highlighted the imperative of creating a more inclusive and accessible Chennai, many such personal experiences and anecdotes came to the fore. The participants, who were architects and advocates within the Chennai community of people with disabilities, expressed…