Chennai allocates 338 crores to flood prevention projects

Chennai will spend 338 crore rupees to prevent flooding in several areas. Key locations like Ambattur Industrial Estate, Pallikaranai, and OMR will benefit from new canals and stormwater drains. Water Resources Department minister Duraimurugan announced the funding during an assembly meeting. He explained that the Ambattur Industrial Estate will receive 130 crore rupees for drain projects. This area faced severe flooding during Cyclone Michaung last year, with water reaching up to four feet due to poor drainage. To address this problem, new canals and drains will be built to manage water flow to Ambattur Lake. The plans include a 0.6 km stormwater drain from Ayapakkam Lake to Koladi Lake and a 1.1 km drain from Koladi Lake to the Cooum River. Together, these projects aim to divert 423.6 cusecs of water. Additionally, a 2.5 km drain from Ambattur Lake to Ayanambakkam Lake is also planned. This drain will help direct 530 cusecs of water away from Ambattur. Another 5 km drain will connect Ambattur surplus water to the Cooum River at Maduravoyal, making it easier to handle up to 706 cusecs daily. Duraimurugan also announced a separate 91-crore project to create a direct drain from South Buckingham Canal to the sea. This initiative aims to reduce flooding caused by water backing up in the canal. A representative pointed out that the Kovalam basin's backwater issue exacerbates flooding in the Buckingham Canal, affecting nearby areas like Pallikaranai marsh.