Home / Environment / Water Woes: Canals Clogged Ahead of Monsoon
Water Woes: Canals Clogged Ahead of Monsoon
13 Jun
Summary
- Voluntary group urges removal of obstructions from city canals.
- Forecasts of below-normal rainfall heighten water storage concerns.
- Encroachments and waste threaten water flow to critical tanks.
The Kovai Kulangal Paadhukaappu Amaippu has formally requested the district administration to clear obstructions, waste, and encroachments from city canals and watercourses. This plea comes in anticipation of the southwest monsoon, especially with forecasts predicting below-normal rainfall for the year.
The organization has acknowledged ongoing desilting efforts by the Coimbatore Corporation and other NGOs in canals such as Kurichi, Vellalore, and Kuniyamuthur. However, their field inspections revealed persistent issues hindering water flow.
Specific concerns include plastic waste and vegetation blocking sections of the Vellalore anicut canal. Additionally, the Chithiraichavadi canal, which supplies water to several tanks, is reportedly clogged with plastic and sewage waste. Some structures along this watercourse are also in a state of disrepair.
Further problems were noted along the Coimbatore canal. A culvert near an apartment on Puttuvikki Road is alleged to have reduced water flow, causing upstream backups. Encroachments, including temple structures and houses near Puttuvikki Road, are also impeding desilting and maintenance operations, prompting calls for their joint removal by the Coimbatore Corporation and the WRD.
