Semmencherry still remains marooned and ‘power’less

Residents, who were evicted from the city slums and resettled at the tenements built by TNSCB, told DT Next that they are struggling as the Electricity department suspended power due to the water stagnation. “There was no supply in the entire locality past four days. We are requesting the officials to restore power but they are citing waterlogging as a reason for their inability,” said J Kumar, a resident.

Semmenchery TNSCB settlement houses more than 27,000 families, who were forced out of slums in the city in the promise of safer and better living conditions.

“All the roads are inundated. Apart from roads, the public park, bus stand etc are also inundated. We could not access the primary health centre due to waterlogging on the road,” Kumar added.

He said the water is coming from areas like Mudichur and Manimangalam as those places are affected by the floods due to water released from Chembarambakkam lake.

When contacted, a Chennai Corporation official said workers are pumping out rainwater from the roads. However, the residents pointed out that the Corporation is presently using only two motor pumps to remove the water, which is insufficient given the amount of water stagnated. Nearby resettlement, Perumbakkam, is also yet to get power.

A senior Corporation official said a project is in the pipeline to build stormwater drains in Semmenchery and Perumbakkam with a completion target of two years. “It will include frequently flooded Velachery and other parts in south Chennai,” he added.