Flood prevention efforts of Corp
One of the tasks for the Coimbatore Corporation is preventing water stagnation in the Kikani underpass near Ramnagar.Strong complaints from councillors of flooding across the city and growing public resentment over traffic flow being hit by this problem seem to have put flood prevention efforts among the immediate priorities for the Coimbatore Corporation.“I have asked the Corporation staff to remove silt from storm water drains,” Commissioner P. Muthuveeran said, referring to councillors’ complaints at the October 30 Council meeting on clogged storm water rains.There were indications from the Corporation that even as it planned a long-term solution in the form of providing new storm water drains or revamping the existing ones, the immediate task on hand was taking temporary measures to preventing flooding. The Commissioner said that pumping out water from flooded subways and underpasses was another step planned by the civic body.Other than providing relief to people evacuated from unsafe buildings, no major emergency works were required now as the situation was not alarming.On clogged storm water drains being a major reason for flooding, he said people should desist from closing the drains with mud or dumping debris into them. This blocked the flow of rain water and led to the flooding of roads and colonies. “The people do not realise the problem abuse of drains causes.
Only when their own colony gets flooded, do they realise it and appeal for help,” the Commissioner said.The Corporation would procure in a week high-power pumps to remove water stagnating in subways and underpasses. One of the primary tasks was to pump water out of the subway below the flyover on Avanashi Road, he said.Councillors also referred to the problem in the subway while demanding a long-term solution to life in the city getting paralysed by water stagnation.On the demand for providing storm water drains and gravel roads in more than 500 residential layouts regularised recently, the Commissioner said he had asked his engineering wing to wait for a week as rain would hamper the works if they were taken up now.
Medical teams had already been formed to check for cases of diseases caused during monsoon.People were being advised to drink only boiled water in order to prevent water-borne diseases.The Commissioner said the Corporation had established a 24-hour emergency cell.About 20 workers and some engineers would be available as a quick reaction team to reach spots where calamities caused by rain had occurred. People could contact 0422-2302323 to inform the Corporation of such problems.On councillor V.K.S.K. Senthilkumar’s suggestion that a permanent 24-hour cell be established on the lines of the fuse off call centres of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, the Commissioner said that the civic body was examining the proposal.
