Transforming Lives: New Channel Set to Combat Chronic Flooding in Korattur and Ambattur Industrial Estate
Residents of Korattur and Ambattur Industrial Estate are urging local authorities to expedite crucial flood mitigation efforts before the Northeast monsoon arrives. For years, these communities have grappled with severe inundation and power outages every monsoon season, as heavy rainfall causes Ambattur Lake to overflow, inundating residential areas due to insufficient drainage capacity leading to Korattur Lake.
In response, the Water Resources Department plans to initiate a ₹130 crore project this week to construct a five-kilometer channel that will divert surplus water from Ambattur Lake to the Cooum River. This channel, spanning four meters in width, will start at the Cookson Road junction in the industrial estate before routing through Third Main Road and the service lane of Chennai Bypass Road, ultimately connecting with the Cooum River near Maduravoyal.
Community leaders like J. Gopalakrishnan, president of the Korattur Federation of Residents Welfare Association, emphasize the urgency of completing substantial portions of the flood mitigation work prior to the monsoon. He highlighted the distress felt by residents in low-lying areas of Venkatraman Nagar, where rainwater frequently intrudes into homes. “People are worried to live on the ground floor of houses. Tenants are now seeking only first-floor accommodations, and some residents even choose to lock up their homes during the rainy season,” said Gopalakrishnan. He expressed hope that the new project could help reduce waterlogging by as much as 30%.
Officials also pointed out that the inadequate capacity of culverts along the Pattaravakkam railway line significantly contributes to the flooding issues in Korattur. The proposed channel is expected to handle around 400 cubic feet of water per second, effectively alleviating pressure on existing waterways without necessitating land acquisition.
While Ambattur’s industrial sector anticipates that the channel will cut flooding by nearly one-third, some residents, like M. Ranganathan, stress the importance of rejuvenating Korattur Lake. He noted that rainwater often mixes with sewage instead of filling the lake, and proper management of the lake is critical for flood control.
Ambattur MLA Joseph Samuel outlined additional measures to combat flooding, revealing plans for another three-kilometer channel that will divert water from Korattur’s North Avenue canal to Otteri Nullah, implemented in two phases. Efforts to improve Korattur Lake are also underway.
As the region braces for the Northeast monsoon, residents remain hopeful that these interventions will bring significant relief from the persistent flooding issues that have plagued them for years. The community continues to advocate for timely completion of these vital projects, emphasizing the need for action and long-term solutions to ensure safety and stability during the rainy season.
Chennai residents are encouraged to stay informed about these developments, as local authorities are working diligently to implement these crucial flood mitigation strategies before the monsoon arrives.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/new-channel-aims-to-ease-chronic-flooding-in-korattur-and-ambattur-industrial-estate/article69893674.ece
Category : Chennai
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Publish Date: 2025-08-05 00:52:00
