219 vulnerable locations identified ahead of Northeast monsoon, says GCC Commissioner

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has identified 219 vulnerable locations ahead of the Northeast monsoon season, according to Commissioner G.S. Sameeran. These locations include low-lying areas, stretches along the OMR and ECR. The Chief Minister reviewed these measures with departmental officials on September 8 and September 22, instructing the desilting of specific estuaries and continuous monitoring of the sites.

The Water Resources Department has undertaken 200 projects estimated at ₹42 crore, with nearly 48% completed. Commissioner Sameeran inspected the Adyar estuary, noting its dynamic nature and capacity to receive significant water volume during flooding. At Arcot Road, stormwater work is restricted to night hours due to Metro Rail projects, with a Plan B utilizing 100-HP motors.

Pallikaranai's historical water bodies have been altered, but authorities plan cut-and-cover drains and weir arrangements. The GCC has completed 1,110,211 silt catch pits, covered 65,076 pits, and taken up stormwater drain connectivity works in 105 missing locations. Desilting works are ongoing in 1,683 km of stormwater drains, with 1,102 km completed.

The GCC has also pruned 60,141 trees and developed an online volunteer registration system, with monitoring carried out through Integrated Command and Control Centres.