CHENNAI: Taking lessons from the 2015 floods which played havoc in the city, the Chennai Corporation and State government departments like Revenue and Municipal Administration are gearing up to face the ensuing monsoon season.
At the first meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority that was chaired by Commissioner of Revenue Administration K Satyagopal in Chennai on Wednesday, representatives from various departments put forth their views on tackling the monsoon. The views of the members of the authority would be discussed in detail with the State government, and an action plan would be drawn soon, sources said.
Meanwhile at the Chennai Corporation, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani and Revenue Minister R B Udyakumar presided over the meeting that was convened to discuss monsoon preparedness in the city. Besides this, steps would be taken on the basis of the public hearing held on October 21.
Velumani said that during the 2015 floods, water clogged at 859 places. Of these, the official machinery identified 306 points where waterlogging persisted for longer period of time. Desilting was done at 115 points while link canals have been constructed at 52 points. Besides, of the 7,351 existing stormwater drains, desilting works have been completed in 5.311 drains on a stretch of 1,244 km at a cost of `18 crore, claimed the government.
Under the Integrated Stormwater Drainage Programme, of the 1,147 works taken up for 280 km, 412 works have been completed for a stretch of 70.89 km while 360 works were in the final stages. Removal of water hyacinth was going on in 69.45-km stretch at a cost of `24.05 crore.
With a view to ensuring uninterrupted vehicles flow, 38 high-tension motors and supersucker vehicles have been kept ready at 22 subways. Apart from these, 18 high mast lamps have been kept ready to enable rescue works during night. Check walls have been built across Captain Cotton canal and Kodungaiyur canal for a stretch of 2.52 km at a cost of `27.87 crore.
As many as 42 rescue teams, 103 motorised boats, inflatable boats at low lying areas, 45 wood cutting machines with two vehicles 156 relief camps, four common kitchens have also been kept ready. The officials have also put together nine teams of snake catchers.
To check any communicable diseases, 3,337 workers, 420 compressor sprinklers, 41 vehicles are kept ready.