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Monsoon Fears: Velachery Waterways Choked by Weeds
2 Jul
Summary
- Water hyacinth in Okkiam Maduvu poses flooding risk for Velachery residents.
- Sewage inflow fuels weed growth, worsening natural drainage systems.
- Authorities plan waterway desilting before Northeast monsoon begins.
Residents of Velachery are urging authorities to urgently clear water hyacinth and other vegetation from local waterways ahead of the upcoming monsoon season to mitigate flood risks. The unchecked growth in Okkiam Maduvu and other canals obstructs rainwater flow, leading to significant waterlogging. In 2023, this blockage caused several areas, including AGS Colony and Vijaya Nagar, to be submerged for approximately five days.
Residents highlight that sewage contamination fuels the rapid growth of aquatic weeds, further degrading the natural drainage system. They are calling for measures against illegal sewage discharge into waterways and for the clearing of vegetation near crucial culverts in the Pallikaranai marshland. Demands also include dredging the Adyar river mouth and desilting Velachery Lake.
The Water Resources Department has announced plans to commence desilting of major and minor waterways in and around the city by mid-July, pending fund allocation. This initiative aims to ensure better floodwater management during the Northeast monsoon. Residents are pressing for long-pending actions like lake desilting and encroachment removal to enhance water body capacity and improve overall drainage.
