City: Chennai

Often, as journalists, we have an eye for the problems people face and so it is reflected in our stories. This is because every small impediment that we come across is connected to a larger systemic issue. While it is very important to highlight the problems, be it a minor civic issue or a larger systemic one, I learnt this year that we should also keep an eye out for stories that provide solutions to these issues. Here are some of the stories that I worked on in 2023 that had a huge impact on me: How a tuition centre…

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,…

Located in the southwestern suburbs of Chennai, the neighbourhood of Chitlapakkam had been prone to flooding only five years ago. About 20 centimetres of rain would cause severe inundation of houses and it was under the threat of sheet flooding of more than five feet of water, which would remain stagnant for around a week. The dream of making this locality flood-free seemed distant at the time but has now become a reality. Every monsoon, Chitlapakkam would get inundated as the town is sandwiched between the flood plains of Selaiyur lake and Chitlapakkam lake surplus. As a volunteer of the…

Chennai saw yet another episode of devastating floods recently, bringing back memories of the horror faced during the 2015 floods and made people relive the nightmare of that fateful event. Even the areas that were never flooded before, were inundated this year, say many Chennai residents shocked at the flood water entering their homes. These floods are indicators of poor urban planning that needs immediate course correction. In an interview with Citizen Matters Chennai, Dr S Janakarajan, President of the South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies (SaciWATERs), Hyderabad and former Professor and Director at Madras Institute of Development…

Ennore oil spill: NGT comes down heavily on government agencies Stating that the oil spill in the Ennore-Manali region in Chennai has adversely impacted the livelihoods of the fishing community, the Tamil Nadu government’s 20-member State of Oil Spill Crisis Management Group (SOS-CMG) directed the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) to undertake mitigation efforts on a war footing. Meanwhile, following the blame game between CPCL and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) over the oil spill in the Ennore-Manali region, the National Green Tribunal came down heavily on the government agencies and the oil company for the delayed response in…

As Cyclone Michaung ripped through Chennai and surrounding areas, and news about localities getting inundated with heavy rainfall started coming in, and a few affected residents narrated their ordeal online. As the day wore on, there were many calls for rescue and relief from citizens stranded in waterlogged areas.   Meanwhile, a group of researchers from IIT Madras were doing their bit by giving real-time weather information on social media. They also urged people to record flood information in their localities on the chennaiwaterlogging.org portal. Their efforts seem to have paid off because as many as 1,200 users recorded the…

Citizen Matters Chennai organised a Citizen Clinic on how to become a zero-waste household on November 29 with a panel of experts. The online clinic provided answers on how to segregate waste at source; how to avoid plastic and what are some eco-friendly alternatives; how to find recycling units near your home and how to get help with composting in Chennai. The panel had three experts who shared the best practices and personal experiences in moving towards minimal waste generation. The panellists included P Natarajan, founder of Namma Ooru Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation engaged in solid waste management, rainwater harvesting,…

Chennai grapples with severe flooding, transportation disruptions and health concerns after cyclone The aftermath of Cyclone Michaung continues to severely impact Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, with incessant rainfall causing extensive flooding, waterlogging and power outages. The city's schools and colleges are closed. Relief efforts are underway, with the Indian Air Force air-dropping 2,300 kg of relief materials in flood-affected areas and the Southern Railway cancelling train services. The effects of the cyclone also include disruptions to operations in many industries in Chennai. The Tamil Nadu government and various organisations are actively engaged in relief work, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi…

Four days have passed since Cyclone Michaung caused havoc across Chennai. Yet, the people of North Chennai continue to suffer in silence simply because their mobile network connectivity is still down. With no way to reach out for help, with no electricity, no basic amenities and mainly with no aid from the government, they are abandoned to their own devices. "Nobody came for our help. Not one person representing the government has reached out to us," they say collectively. In this time of despair, when the roads are inundated and the threat of health hazards looms large because of stagnant…