Chennai Floods - What went wrong ?
Heavy rains have left Chennai flooded with water all over as there is no proper water draining system. Usually rain water gets absorbed in the earth or gets drained into the Lakes and other water bodies. Presence of trees, plants and open areas plays important role in absorbing water on the ground. However, its not the case in Chennai. Rain water got logged everywhere and incessant rainfall had further resulted in flooding all over. Water levels have almost touched 5 feet and houses there got totally submerged. Even Airport and other public places are no exception. Normal life in Chennai came to halt. Motor vehicles got washed away.
What might have gone wrong ??
Since the real estate picked up and the city started flaunting its metropolitan status, Chennai has witnessed many encroachments. Even the Lakes were not spared. With marshlands and canals encroached upon, the city has hardly any outlet for flood water. Filling up lowlands without proper planning, little space for stormwater to drain, heavy encroachments of river banks, illegal constructions, multistoried apartments without proper planning are the major reasons.
Chennai initially had many Lakes and Marshes which are now covered with innumerous buildings. As per the reports, its said that around 300 water bodies in Chennai have disappeared. Over 5,550 hectares of wetlands in the IT Corridor of Velachery, Pallikaranai and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) have been developed into commercial real-estate. And due to this rain water had nowhere to go, hence settled on the roads and flooded every house.
While the India Meteorological Dept has other reasons, there is no denial that Chennai has failed in maintaining an effective storm water drainage system. Rainfall over 3 times than usual had resulted in blocking the drainage systems, creeks and culverts blocked due to excessive dumping of garbage. Major rain water drain for city like Cooum river, Adyar river and Buckingham canal have all seen encroachments.
A PIL was filed by the residents of Kasturba Nagar and Indira Nagar Welfare forum, seeking removal of encroachments on canal water road along Buckingham canal. The PIL said the encroachments were not slum dwellings but concrete structures directly affecting the flow of canal.
Despite all this, Chennai claimed that its ready for monsoon even before it set in. However recent incident shows the inefficiency of the Chennai Civic body.
This is definitely result of man-made disaster and not natural one. Wondering who gave permissions to destroy water bodies to establish real estate and construct multistoried buildings. And that too at the cost of public safety. These floods have left people in Chennai stranded in their homes and on streets. Time for Chennai citizens to strongly question the local leaders and authorities concerned.
Rescue and Relief Operations:
On Nov 23rd, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Ms. Jayalalitha wrote to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking 2000 Crores as relief fund. However after the incessant rainfall, the AIADMK leader urged the centre to sanction over Rs. 8000 Crores from National Disaster relief fund. PM Modi is said to have announced Rs. 1000 Crores package.
Indian Defence, NGOs and other volunteers have come out in large numbers and participated in rescue and relief operations in Chennai. The state government and NDRF teams have taken 40432 people to safety.
The Indian Navy rushed its Warship INS Airavat to Chennai that carried 20 divers, 5 Gemini boats in addition to 4 landing craft and 2 boats that are part of the ship. They all have done wonderful job. The nation has also witnessed many citizens donating money, cloths, distributed food, sponsored medical aid to the victims. Even Chief Minister of Delhi Mr. Arvind Kejrival and Chief Minister of Bihar Mr. Nitish Kumar offered their Admin support. Karnataka Govt offered about 5 Crores Rupee as immediate relief fund.
The IT Parks located in areas like Taramani allowed flood victims to take shelter in their offices. Bharti Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone, Rcom, Aircel and Zomato waived off rates and offered free services to customers.
The city had witnessed scenes where the Muslims allowed the homeless flood victims to stay in the Mosques. They even took part in cleaning temples so that Hindus could perform regular poojas. Thats definitely a wonderful gesture which flaunts "Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai".
What went wrong with the Political leaders' common sense ?
Its heard that there was some delay in distributing food packets and relief material to the flood victims as the political party workers were busy in printing their leader's photo on packets as publicity stunt. The question is - is that required at this point of time ? Its also heard that the party workers threatened the volunteers and forced them to use their leader/Tamil Nadu CM Ms Jayalalitha's photo on the food packets and other relief material.
What Next ?
Given the magnitude of floods, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must review permissions for all the on-going construction activity in the city and suburbs. Also water harvesting concept for every Apartment/Building/Individual Houses/Malls must be made mandatory as that would be capable of absorbing rain water into the ground. Government can probably think of schemes/loans to assist existing house owners to build the water harvesting system in their houses.
We have Politicians and local leaders who are too busy in making scams and mudslinging activities. Really shame on these Politicians and civic body for creating this kind of scenario today. Anyone who is resorting to activities at the cost of public safety must not be tolerated.
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