City scrapes through first monsoon spell amid widespread waterlogging

Chennai experienced widespread waterlogging during the first intense spell of Northeast monsoon rain on Saturday night. However, the floodwater drained in most parts of the city by dawn, barring Perambur and Velachery. In Perambur, Stephenson Road and areas near the Ganesapuram subway were among the areas affected.

The prolonged stagnation raised concerns about the efficiency of the stormwater drainage system and the preparedness of civic authorities for intense rainfall during the Northeast monsoon.

Vanaja, an autorickshaw driver, said rainwater had entered her vehicle and damaged its engine, leaving her stranded near Tondiarpet. K. Shanmugam of the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Association said that floodwater had drained in most localities, including Madhavaram.

Govardhan of the Community Welfare Brigade said that while floodwater had receded in Madhavaram, the area continued to lack proper roads, drainage facilities, and Metrowater supply, and several civic works had been left incomplete.

Meanwhile, a few localities in West Velachery experienced stagnation, despite the presence of a stormwater drain network. Residents of AGS Colony, Saraswathi Nagar, Bhuvaneshwari Nagar, Aandal Nagar, and Mohanapuri faced flood-like conditions due to the slow drainage of rainwater through Veerangal Odai, which is connected to the Pallikaranai Marshland.

AGS Colony experienced waterlogging beyond 9.30 a.m. on Sunday. Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) Regional Deputy Commissioner (South) Aftab Rasool and Superintending Engineer (South) R. Murali monitored the operations in the area.

“Waterlogging was reported across AGS Colony. Water levels began to recede after pumping operations started around 10.30 p.m. [on Saturday]. GCC officials have been working on the ground since last night, without food and water,” said Geetha Ganesh, Secretary, AGS Colony Residents’ Welfare Association, Velachery West.