Are Over 200 Residents Stranded as Floodwaters Engulf Low-Lying Areas in Chennai?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As Chennai faces unprecedented flooding, over 200 residents find themselves stranded in Palavoyal. With homes submerged and rescue operations underway, the community calls for urgent infrastructure improvements. This situation highlights the vulnerability of low-lying areas during heavy rains.
Key Takeaways
- Over 200 residents stranded due to severe flooding.
- 100+ homes submerged in Palavoyal and surrounding areas.
- Calls for improved infrastructure to handle heavy rain.
- Rescue operations ongoing with Fire and Rescue Services deployed.
- Residents endure historic flooding in their neighborhoods.
Chennai, Dec 3 (NationPress) Over 100 homes in Palavoyal, located near Chennai's Red Hills, were completely submerged on Wednesday due to relentless heavy rains causing severe flooding in the low-lying regions.
More than 200 residents found themselves trapped in water that reached hip-deep, while rescue teams faced challenges in accessing the hardest-hit areas.
According to residents from Palavoyal, Kumaran Nagar, Murugan Street, and sections along Sothupakkam Main Road, the flooding began early in the morning and progressively worsened, even after the Regional Meteorological Centre lifted the Red Alert just a day prior.
Many houses were inundated within moments as rainwater surged from nearby roads and overwhelmed the lake embankments.
“This has been our reality for over a decade,” lamented P. Karthik, a Kumaran Nagar resident. “Even a slight downpour is enough to flood our streets. Today, the situation was terrifying; water reached hip level inside homes. Had the lakes not breached, the waterlogging wouldn’t have escalated to this extent.”
Residents noted that these areas are several feet lower than surrounding neighborhoods and are devoid of adequate stormwater drainage or channels to redirect rainwater.
As Sothupakkam Main Road acted as a primary runoff route, water forcefully surged into the inner streets, posing dangers for residents, especially the elderly and children, trying to navigate outside.
By noon, numerous areas reported water levels rising to chest height. Families were stranded on rooftops or trapped inside their homes awaiting assistance, with many stating this was the worst flooding they had encountered in years.
The Fire and Rescue Services deployed two trucks and a boat for rescue efforts.
“We managed to rescue a total of 56 individuals, including 18 children, 19 men, and 15 women,” reported a fire service personnel engaged in the operations.
Rescue teams persevered throughout the day, battling strong currents along the main road to reach those isolated by the floods.
Locals indicated that rainwater from the main road typically drains into Singilimedu Lake. However, the lake was unable to accommodate the excessive inflow from the recent heavy rains, significantly aggravating the flooding situation.
By late evening, water levels remained elevated in various locations, prompting residents to implore authorities for the establishment of a permanent drainage system and the reinforcement of lake embankments to avert similar crises in future rainfall events.
Point of View
It is evident that infrastructure inadequacies contribute significantly to such crises. This situation underscores the urgent need for improved drainage systems and proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating effects of heavy rainfall.
NationPress
03/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the flooding in Chennai?
The flooding in Chennai was caused by continuous heavy rainfall that overwhelmed drainage systems and breached lake embankments.
How many residents were affected?
Over 200 residents were affected, with many trapped in their homes due to rising floodwaters.
What areas were most impacted?
The most impacted areas include Palavoyal, Kumaran Nagar, Murugan Street, and sections along Sothupakkam Main Road.
What actions are being taken for rescue?
Rescue operations are being conducted by the Fire and Rescue Services, utilizing trucks and boats to reach stranded residents.
What do residents want from the authorities?
Residents are urging authorities to implement a permanent drainage system and strengthen lake embankments to prevent future flooding.
