Of Drains, Diversions and Deluges Amid Urban Chaos

Keeping Head Above Water

- SUJATHA VIJAYARAGHAVAN

In 2015, residents of Venus Colony in Alwarpet were rudely awakened by a flood that entered their homes and rose to over two feet. The next four days and nights were traumatic, with rainwater inside houses and no power, food, or drinking water. Later, it was learned that the water accumulated in Anna Salai and Teynampet had been diverted by the corporation officials to this area. The water from areas as far as Stella Maris College and several colonies beyond it, despite protests by the residents earlier against such a plan, was diverted to a single stormwater drain on Sriram Srinivasa Road. The route for the water to go through was by Luz Church Road to Buckingham Canal; the path had been partially blocked by metro rail construction.