Chennai Corporation to install 30 rain gauges in city to monitor rainfall

A Greater Chennai Corporation official said that two rain gauges each will be installed in 15 zones.

“Presently, there are only two rain gauges in the city, which are installed by the meteorological department in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam. However, we are not able to know the intensity of rain in other parts of the city,” a Corporation official said.

The official added that the devices are proposed under the Smart City Mission and it would be a part of the Command Control Centre (CCC) that is being set up in Ripon Buildings.

Explaining the need for rain gauges, the official said, “CCC will integrate CCTV coverage, traffic monitoring and disaster management works in the city. The rain gauges are one of the components in CCC to assist us in disaster management and they are included in the disaster management plan of the city.”

Meanwhile, the Corporation also has a plan to implement Intelligent Traffic Management system in the city with the funds from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

The system would have number plate reading cameras and cameras to capture the vehicles jumping red light apart from providing passenger information system.

“Even though the Intelligent Traffic Management system is not a part of Smart City Mission, we will integrate the system with CCC. We will also integrate the CCTV cameras installed by the police department. The Intelligent Traffic Management will be implemented at a cost of Rs 660 crore, including the State’s share,” the official added.