Welcome relief as Chennai records excess rainfall
After the longest ever dry spell experienced by the city, the southwest rains have brought in much-needed relief for the city over the last couple of months. According to reports, Chennai has also recorded excess rainfall of over 50% since June.
Though the rainfall has been in short isolated spells, the few short and heavy spells in the city and suburbs have statistically resulted in excess rainfall this southwest monsoon. The Meteorological department has forecast more rains during the nights in the coming days. Weather experts have also predicted more rains in the city in August.
Source: The Times of India
Need water? Pick up the phone
Chennai Metro Water Board has launched a new scheme Dial for Water 2.0 for water-starved Chennaiites, under which consumers can dial in for water tanker requests, with assurance of supply in two days. What’s more interesting is that you can choose when you want the water to be delivered.
Under the new scheme, there is no provision for cancellation and hence Metro Water has requested consumers to book according to their need. Consumers can either book online or over the phone by calling 044-4567 4567
Source: The Hindu | The New Indian Express
Perungudi and Kodungaiyur eye Dec 2020 closure
At least 4,000 locations across the city will soon get decentralized waste processing facilities. Chennai Corporation has permitted 18 firms to start biodegradable waste processing services for onsite home composting. Additionally, the civic body has also permitted 12 firms to recycle non-biodegradable waste generated by residents and traders.
The waste generators shall bear the cost of services rendered by the service providers. Greater Chennai Corporation has not fixed any price for any service. In addition to the private agencies, micro-composting centres have been proposed at 28 locations.
Chennai Corporation generates 5,200 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day in the 15 zones covering 426 sq km of the city. The civic body has developed waste processing facilities in parks, playgrounds, burial grounds and OSR lands, for handling 650 tonnes of waste every day.
Source: The New Indian Express | The Hindu
City gets second pet blood bank
To meet the increasing demand for canine blood, the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University (TANUVAS) will soon set up a second pet blood bank at Madhavaram by the end of the year. The first blood bank was set up in 2010 at the Madras Veterinary College and Hospital in Vepery. The hospital does at least 25 blood transfusions in a month, but the demand keeps increasing every day.
Source: The Times of India
School buses to be compulsorily fitted with CCTV and GPS device
Acting on a public interest litigation petition filed by advocate S Gopi Krishnan, seeking a direction to make it mandatory for all school buses in Tamil Nadu to fit CCTV cameras and GPS devices from this academic year, the Madras High Court on Friday directed the Transport Department to issue instructions for installation of the same. It also asked the Department to ensure that the instructions are implemented within a month of their issuance. Schools have also been advised to monitor the devices and ensure their smooth working from time to time.
Source: The Hindu
No more cash payments at Metro station parking
Chennai Metro Rail will accept payments only through travel smart cards for parking fees starting this August. The decision was taken following a pilot test conducted by the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd at all stations this month. Metro commuters who use parking spaces in the stations, but do not have a travel card yet can buy one at any of the customer care and ticketing counters, and top it up as necessary.
Source: The Times of India
[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]