Torrential rains wreaked havoc across several suburbs of Chennai on Tuesday, submerging neighborhoods, crippling roads, and exposing deep-seated civic infrastructure failures. The intense downpour, which began on Monday, delivered a staggering 105 centimeters of rainfall to the district, with areas like Avadi, Ponneri, Redhills, Gummidipoondi, and Cholavaram receiving nearly 50cm.
Widespread Flooding and Civic Breakdown
The sheer volume of water overwhelmed local systems, leading to breached lakes, choked drainage networks, and completely waterlogged roads. Entire communities found themselves grappling with severe flooding, a direct consequence of what residents and activists describe as years of civic neglect. In the Avadi corporation area, localities such as Jothi Nagar and Kovilpathagai were among the worst affected.
Local reports from Kovilpathagai indicated that ankle-deep water entered close to 5,000 houses on Tuesday. The situation was compounded by a mix of rainwater and sewage entering residential streets like Abdul Kalam Street in Gopalapuram.
Transport Chaos and Hidden Dangers
The collapse of urban infrastructure created a nightmare for commuters and motorists. Major arteries like CTH Road witnessed complete gridlock during peak hours. T Sadagopan, a consumer activist and Avadi resident, highlighted the severe challenges faced by bus commuters, citing a critical shortage of shelters, proper announcements, traffic regulators, and adequate lighting.
For those braving the roads, the stagnant water concealed dangerous potholes, making driving a perilous endeavor. The drainage crisis was particularly acute in areas like Pattabiram's Nehru Street and Gandhi Nagar in Ward 18 of Avadi corporation.
Official Response and Admitting the Breach
State Ministers K N Nehru and S M Nasar conducted inspections of the inundated Jothi Nagar area to assess the damage firsthand. However, the local civic body's assessment contrasted with the ground reports. Avadi Corporation Commissioner R Saranya stated that major issues were confined to only two areas: Jothi Nagar and Kovipathagai.
She confirmed that two fallen trees had been cleared from these zones. The commissioner also acknowledged a significant contributing factor, revealing, "The flooding was not entirely because of the rains; there was a slight breach in Annanur Eri." She assured that efforts were underway to resolve the issue promptly.
Activists, however, pointed to systemic failures. A Roy Rosario, president of the Peoples Voice Federation, explained that incomplete drainage work on Nehru Street, where only a portion received drains, left no inlet for water flowing downhill, exacerbating the flooding.
The event underscores a recurring theme of Indian metros struggling with urban planning during extreme weather, turning heavy rain into a full-blown disaster due to inadequate and neglected civic infrastructure.
