Study Reveals Gaps in Flood Preparedness in North Chennai, Residents Demand Action

Residents of north Chennai are expressing serious concerns regarding flood preparedness as a recent study reveals critical gaps in the region's infrastructure. According to The Hindu, a study conducted with the support of local NGOs found that fly ash deposits spanning 3.51 square kilometers in Ennore Creek are obstructing drainage systems and exacerbating flooding in areas like Vyasarpadi.

Alarmingly, 99.2 percent of residents in Vyasarpadi reported being affected by flooding in the past, with average water stagnation levels reaching 3.4 feet inside homes. Resident N. Nancy highlighted the tragic consequences of flooding, stating that many critically ill individuals lost their lives during the floods of 2023.

With the current monsoon season underway, residents like V. Dinesh from JJR Nagar are acutely aware of the high risk of flooding returning, despite not having experienced it yet this year. The report emphasizes the unique burdens faced by women during such disasters, according to S.

Vijayalakshmi, a local coordinator, who noted that women often have to venture into floodwaters to procure essentials even when unwell. The mixed-methods study assessed flood impacts among community members in various neighborhoods including Sathyamoorthy Nagar, MGR Nagar, and others in Vyasarpadi.

The findings pointed to the urgent need for community-led initiatives to monitor commodity prices during flood events and to establish compensation protocols that integrate the perspectives of daily wage earners.

The study also identified the deteriorating condition of the canal system surrounding Vyasarpadi, which includes the Buckingham Canal, Captain Cotton Canal, and Otteri Nalla, as a major contributor to flooding.

According to the Joint Expert Committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal, significant fly ash deposition has constricted the flood plain and interfered with natural tidal dynamics, worsening the flooding situation.

Tidal effects from the Bay of Bengal, which sees two high and two low tides daily, further complicate drainage as high tide levels hinder the outflow of floodwater. The JEC's report indicates that these combined factors have intensified flooding in Vyasarpadi, revealing a dire need for immediate action by the Greater Chennai Corporation and other civic agencies to improve drainage and overall flood preparedness.

Residents are demanding that emergency measures be implemented to ensure that their communities can withstand future flooding and its impacts.