City: Chennai

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…

When Cyclone Michaung was wreaking havoc over different parts of Tamil Nadu on December 4th, with the heavy rain and squally winds battering Chennai and its suburbs, a small group of residents in Tambaram swung into action. Among the many stories of distress and wreckage, the efforts of these individuals to prevent floods in low-lying areas and to stop water from entering homes, while ensuring relief supplies to affected communities was heartening. Dr S M Govindarajan, Founder President of the United Federation of Residents Welfare Associations of Tambaram City Corporation narrates how flood control, rescue-and-relief work were taken up by…

Cyclone Michaung affected most parts of Chennai with the city receiving an average of 300 mm of rains on December 4th. The incessant downpour stopped around Tuesday midnight, bringing some respite to citizens; although the relief was only temporary, with the aftermath of the rains throwing up difficult and challenging situations for both citizens and civic workers. The unprecedented rains have triggered a variety of issues including heavy waterlogging in many areas, swinging NDRF personnel into action to rescue residents stranded in submerged areas, with boats. Other issues faced in various areas include loss of vehicles submerged in water, power…

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…

As a wheelchair user, who likes to travel and go around the city, the biggest hurdle is navigating public spaces and using public transport to get around. As a member of the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) in Chennai, I have taken part in accessibility audits and have been involved in different activities such as training wheelchair users for state and national-level competitions in a paralympic game called Boccia. Whenever we travel for all these activities, accessibility is the main challenge. Most of the public transport including buses and trains cannot be used by persons with physical disabilities, especially people who…

IMD issues orange alert to Chennai Following the heavy downpour across the city, many roads were inundated making regular commute a herculean task for residents. Workers from Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and other departments are actively working on the ground to attend to public complaints of waterlogging and clearing out the water. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Chennai and its neighbouring districts on December 2 and 3. This indicates the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Following the heavy inflow of water, the water discharge from Chembarambakkam was increased to 6,000 cubic…

Every year, November and December have been the most devastating months for Chennai when it comes to natural calamities. Our city has long been known for its susceptibility to a long list of natural disasters: cyclones, storm surges, coastal flooding, torrential rainfall, earthquakes and tsunamis. After the 2015 deluge in Chennai, the then administration had acknowledged the fact that the incomplete Storm Water Drainage (SWD) network was one of the main reasons for the disaster, which claimed over 470 lives.Most of the problems faced by the residents in Chennai have existed for decades. Inadequate and poorly managed basic infrastructure has…

According to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai generates about 3,000 tonnes of waste per day and most of it comes from residential and commercial establishments. The focus of a zero-waste home is not just on being environment-friendly but also on protecting our health and the health of future generations.  With improper source segregation, more waste gets added to the dumpyards daily. Pic: Aruna Natarajan The key to achieving zero waste living is the concept of — Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This can happen only when there is successful waste segregation at source, which will enable citizens to understand…