WRD to begin flood mitigation work next week in Chennai

CHENNAI: Ahead of the Northeast monsoon, the Water Resources Department (WRD) is likely to start flood mitigation work in and around the city this week. The mitigation work will be focused on vulnerable areas which were severely impacted during the Northeast monsoon last year. Besides, in some areas, water stagnation was witnessed during rainy seasons.

"We have already identified the vulnerable areas impacted during the monsoon seasons, and based on the fund allotment, work will be carried out in major waterbodies, including Buckingham canal, Kosasthalaiyar river, Adyar river and Cooum river. We will be desilting, replacing pipe culverts, building drains, and the department has removed the encroachments on the water bodies bund," said a senior WRD official.

If there are any encroachments spotted near the lake, they will be evicted as part of the flood mitigation project. Due to the lack of fund allotment by the government, the department will be able to carry out mitigation work except in the affected areas in the city.

"The government has only allocated Rs 250 crore to widen the Adyar and Kosasthalaiyar rivers and for strengthening their bunds, desilting, and constructing stormwater drains, which is ongoing. However, funds have not been allocated for the rest of the work on these water bodies," said another WRD official.

The total allocated cost for the project is Rs 20 crore, and it will be done in Chennai and Cuddalore districts. It would take at least a month to complete the mitigation work.