Chennai, Oct 19:
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday inspected the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Ripon Building to review the city’s preparedness for the northeast monsoon and the measures taken to address rain-related disruptions.
Vijay, who also holds the Municipal Administration and Water Supply portfolio, reviewed rainfall data recorded since Saturday night, river and canal discharge levels, subway monitoring operations and the status of public grievances. He later chaired a review meeting attended by ministers and senior officials, during which Corporation Commissioner G S Sameeran briefed him on relief measures, including food distribution to residents affected by the heavy rain.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister appreciated civic officials for their efforts following the downpour and instructed control-centre staff to listen carefully to complaints from the public and take immediate steps to resolve them. Vijay also directed ministers to return to Chennai and supervise flood-mitigation and relief work after extremely heavy rainfall affected several parts of the city.
The Greater Chennai Corporation reported waterlogging at 35 locations following the overnight rain. Motor pumps kept on standby were deployed to clear stagnant water from all 35 spots. Trees had fallen at 22 locations, but officials said they were cleared promptly to restore traffic movement. Water stagnating in 22 subways was also removed to facilitate vehicular movement.
The civic body has kept 227 relief camps and 112 central kitchens ready to assist residents in low-lying areas. On Sunday, meals were distributed to 13,500 people in inundated localities. Several neighbourhoods experienced severe flooding, including parts of Tondiarpet, Vyasarpadi, Tiruvottiyur and Velachery. In AGS Colony in Velachery, rainwater reportedly reached depths of up to three feet before receding.
Residents have also called for permanent solutions to recurring inundation. A representative of the AGS Colony residents’ association sought the installation of an automatic rain gauge to improve localised rainfall monitoring and strengthen flood-control planning.