Five things the Greater Chennai Corporation must do to prevent floods
By Bhavani Prabhakar
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Finish lake restoration work
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Besides pending work, there have also been instances of faulty restoration. For example, new bunds were formed for the Ramapuram lake that underwent restoration recently, without demolishing the concrete buildings on its bed and clearing encroachments.
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Ensure smooth flow of waterways
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“The presence of concrete structures on the lake channels is the primary reason behind Pallavaram and Chrompet neighbourhoods getting flooded even when the rains are not intense. If the channels are unclogged, the excess rainwater can reach the Pallavaram Periya Eri,” says David Manohar, an activist from Chrompet.
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Build and clear stormwater drains
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Proper stormwater drain networks must be an integral part of urban planning and of flood prevention in particular. The civic body maintains SWDs [stormwater drain] that run for 2,058 km.
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Get sewage systems in place
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“Underground drainage is a failed project here. Sanitary waste from many households regularly flow into the storm water drains, due to the absence of a proper sewage network and pumping station.
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Streamline solid waste management
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About 35% of the waste can be recycled for which the city needs large material recovery facilities. At present, only 1% is being recycled.
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