NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, NOV 29
Despite Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin prioritizing flood mitigation across the state, it is ironic that this pressing issue remains unaddressed at Varadarajapuram and Erumayur, two villages located just 3 to 4 kilometers from Tambaram. The residents seek the swift intervention to prevent a preventable disaster and uphold the government’s commitment to protecting citizens from flooding, says Jose Punnoose, a representative of these two villages.
- Residents call for intervention to address persistent flood risks and unsafe development practices
- The villages, situated on the western side of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the Adyar River, have been grappling with flooding, particularly in Rayappa Nagar, during the monsoon season
- The residents also put up four suggestions to resolve these nagging isssues
“Residents of Varadarajapuram and Erumayur, two villages located just 3 to 4 kilometers from Tambaram and part of Greater Chennai under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), have been facing an escalating crisis due to recurring floods and unregulated land development. Despite repeated appeals to authorities, no tangible measures have been taken to address the worsening situation, which poses a grave threat to the safety and livelihoods of hundreds of families in the region,” Jose said in his appeal to the CM on Thursday.
”We have submitted memorandums several times to redress our grievances at all levels of the government including the Kancheepuram collector, but of no avail”, laments Jose Punnoose at a press conference.
No end to monsoon blues
The villages, situated on the western side of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the Adyar River, have been grappling with flooding, particularly in Rayappa Nagar, during the monsoon season. This perennial issue is exacerbated by:
- Insufficient culverts under the ORR, which obstruct the natural flow of rainwater and floodwaters into the Adyar River.
- Lack of stormwater canals along Kishkinta-Tambaram Road, which leaves rainwater with no proper outlet, forcing it to inundate residential areas.
Adding to the crisis, a new 96-acre residential layout has been developed in a low-lying area abutting the original settlements of Varadarajapuram and Erumayur. Massive earth dumping, raising the ground level by 7 to 12 feet, has buried several natural water channels, including rivers and streams marked in survey numbers 447, 445, 454, 444, and others. The blockage of these water channels has caused floodwaters to redirect into previously safe residential areas, turning elevated regions into flood-prone zones.
Impact on Local Communities
The unregulated land development has had devastating consequences:
- Schools in the area have been forced to vacate their ground floors to avoid potential disasters.
- Key areas, including MGR Road, Bajanai Kovil Street, Ambedkar Street, Munusamy Street, Zydeco Layout, Om Sakthi Nagar, and others, are now at heightened risk of severe flooding.
- Local infrastructure, including the village temple and Anganwadi, faces imminent damage from floodwaters.
- Due to a new lay out development in the low lying area, old elevated settlement in the village suddenly finds itself to be a flood prone low lying area.
The charter of demands
In light of these urgent concerns, the residents of Varadarajapuram and Erumayur once again request the government and relevant authorities to take immediate and effective action:
- Construct concrete walls along the Adyar River to prevent flooding.
- Install adequate culverts under the ORR to allow the free flow of rain and floodwaters.
- Develop Public Works Department (PWD) stormwater canals along Kishkinta-Tambaram Road to channel water safely into the Adyar River.
- Reopen and restore the buried natural water channels in the newly developed layout to protect the original settlements from flooding.
