Floodwater diversion channel project in Chennai awaits government nod

The speeding up of the project approval is imperative for work to be completed before NE monsoon next year

The project to build a channel to divert a portion of surplus water from Somangalam-Adyar confluence point to downstream stretch of the river awaits the State government’s nod. This is set to alleviate flooding in some southern suburbs.

This northeast monsoon, the Adyar carried a peak flow of 20,000 cusecs in its upper reaches. As the maximum flood level of the river is higher by a minimum of four feet, it led to issues in draining floodwater into the waterway.

The project had been submitted to the government through Commisionerate of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management. The speeding up of the project approval is imperative for the work to be completed before the northeast monsoon next year, the officials say.