Desilting of Pallikaranai marshland invites backlash in Chennai
Water Resources Department (WRD) is desilting a drain in the Pallikaranai marshland to prevent flooding in areas like Perumbakkam and Semmenchery, near Chennai.
However, environmental experts believe that this move can backfire and cause more flooding in the surrounding areas because the marshland will get to a lower level than its current elevation. The latter is lower than that of the sea level. The Madras High Court has also restrained the authorities from desilting the marshland, point out activists from Chennai.
But, the authorities plan to complete the dredging within a week, so that the extra water from the areas in and around Chennai flows into Buckingham Canal and further to Muttukadu.
Source: DT Next
Read more: Ramsar Tag secured, what is the way ahead for the Pallikaranai marshland?
Medical camps held in all the Greater Chennai Corporation wards
Among the residents in GCC’s 200 wards, 53,808 people were tested for diseases and medical conditions, in the wake of the monsoon season in Chennai. The testing and screening happened in medical camps held at 211 spots in Chennai. Most number of residents turned up from the Kodambakkam zone in the camp held on November 5th.
The camps saw 551 people with fever and 1078 common cold cases, among others. The medical camps also tested for non-communicable diseases among the people who showed up.
Source: The Hindu | The New Indian Express
Part of a century-old building in Sowcarpet falls on four people
An old building on Mint Street fell on four people on November 11th, leading to two deaths. The cops claim that the wall loosened due to rain, leading to the collapse.
The Madras High Court has directed officials to deal with illegal buildings. However, residents said that there have been no interventions against older buildings despite earlier court orders. The police are still continuing their investigation.
Source: The Times of India | DT Next
Read more: Explainer: How do you get your building plan approved in Chennai?
Iyyapanthangal and Moulivakkam residents suffer due to floods
Many areas in Iyyapanthangal had water up to three feet due to delayed flood mitigation measures, even after five years of regularising unauthorised development. Around 5000 residents have been suffering from floods in those areas.
Dhanalakshmi Nagar, Sai Nagar and Ponniamman Nagar are a few of the areas heavily affected due to the northeast monsoon this year, and students used boats to cross the inundated areas while going to school.
Locally elected representatives from the Panchayat and a Water Resources Department official claim that flood mitigation actions will be completed soon. Rs 120 crore have been allotted for the project.
In Kundrathur, officials have sent lorries to deliver water to the residents, and have closed off the area to prevent accidents, among other measures.
Source: The Hindu
Metro Water fixes 151 sewage outflows in Chennai
A total of 151 sewage outflows were fixed by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) in Anna Nagar, Kodambakkam, Thiru. vi. ka. Nagar and Mogappair. Chennai saw 14 roads caving in and 21 sewage pipes burst last week with the onset of the monsoons.
CMWSSB officials say that they are attending to cave-ins and the bursting of major sewage lines on a priority basis, with 124 pumps across the city. Apart from this, they are clearing the sewer blocks using super suckers and jet rodders in highly susceptible areas. Water quality checks are also being carried out as a monsoon preparedness measure.
Source: The Times of India
[Compiled by Padmaja Jayaraman]