MADURAI: Lack of periodical maintenance has clogged the outlet canal of the Madakulam Tank and caused overflow in residential areas. Since Sunday morning, several areas in Ward 71 and nearby areas faced severe waterlogging issues. Activists cited lack of maintenance and encroachments in the waterbody as reasons.
In the morning, water released from Madakulam Tank to Kirithumal River through the outlet channel overflowed into residential areas in Madakulam, leaving roads in several residential areas inundated with foot-deep water. As the area lay in the middle of two separate WRD divisions (Vaigai and Gundar division) and the city corporation, officials from all three were inspecting the waterlogging in Madakulam.
"As the canal was not being maintained properly, whenever water was released from the Madakulam Tank, water overflowed into residential areas. On Sunday, knee-deep water got logged in residential areas in Annai Mahalakshmi Nagar in Ward 71. Though the corporation has been taking measures, we request concerned departments to do periodical maintenance in the canal to prevent waterlogging in the future," said Prasanna, from the resident's welfare association of Annai Mahalakshmi Nagar.
While speaking to TNIE, senior official from the WRD department, said the Madakulam Tank was half-full and considering the rain, excess water is being released through the outlet canal to Kirithumal River.
The WRD department has already floated tenders for carrying out maintenance works in the Krithumal River and Madakulam Tank and works will be started by January. At present, works are being carried out to prevent stagnation.
City Corporation Commissioner Dinesh Kumar said, "The water has breached into residential areas in two places, which was fixed later in the day. Also, blockages in canals have been cleared by the corporation and WRD department, the logged water is expected to drain off from residential areas by Monday."