Tamil Nadu Floods, 270 Dead & the resilient spirit of Chennai

[Nilgiri]

I am back, internet and power restored today!

Personally did not face any big issues, power was cut to prevent accidents, and streets were flooded, had a scare at one point. 2 houses on the lower side of my street got flooded, they were living on the first floor due to the rains water flooding (these houses usually have lots of water even during normal rains).

The real big scare occurred after the rains for us, when the sun was out shining. Streets/ground had dried out or was pretty much getting there, and then suddenly noticed the storm water drains the garden started spewing out water, and the roads start to fill up again, even though there is full sunshine! Entire garden was submerged in a short while and the street water also started to enter via the gate, and then it starts to get cloudy and drizzling starts again! We started to prepare for a water logged ground floor, shifting stuff up to the first floor. Night was full of tension...constantly checking on the water level, seemed stable, and later luckily it started to recede, and by the morning, even waters on the street started to recede.(Grandmom made a deal with god, so now have to go to local Amman temple and break 2 coconuts! )

The rainfall seems to have proceeded in stages, the first part there was huge amount of rain (16-18), the areas that were affected most were the outer areas, and areas close to the catchment regions. It filled up many of the reservoirs, and they had to be opened, the second (29-1) made all these dams go critical and forced the authorities the open up the dams, out of which water came out gushing with full force, washing away/submerging encroachments that had grown over the years I heard that there was water flowing over Thiru vi ka bridge and over the saidapet bridge, and flooding the surrounding areas. This then caused stress on the already overworked drain system which then caused water to come through storm water drains into streets/peoples houses, even in areas usually considered higher ground.

As far as response from various authorities goes I think they did okay.Municipal corp people were always around checking drains etc. I had to call the fire dept and electricity dept due to some emergency in our neighbors place, at three in the morning, they responded quickly. so no problems there. Even now there is constant movement of army trucks and helicopters flying around from time to time. The self help groups with local people working to help each other and networking on social media was a huge plus (silly rumours on SM being a big minus!!!)

Also I also had a WOW moment, roads completely flooded, no power,patchy phones,internet, but milk still arrived!
Not just for me, many others too:

Also was happy to find out that all people I know have got through unharmed, although there was some serious destruction of property. City is slowly limping back to normal.
Also big thank you to all the people from various parts who have been sending help/essential items and other things

Good to hear you are safe! Thanks for the on the ground info!

 

[vayuputhra]

All sympathy and best wishes from me to my Tamil brothers in chennai, I wish it doesn't rain any more, and chennai returns to normal life, I think at least now the city planners build good drainage system, all the natural nalas, and drains has been illegally occupied and shanty shops and buildings have been built on them, now suffering for that, has the people of chennai asked better roads and drainage system instead of free TV or mixy, it would have been better, the coovar stream has become foul smelling gutter for years choked with tons of plastic, now when water came it did not flow, its the same with adyar. At least now the city planners and CM herself understands the importance of sophisticated drainage system.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

All sympathy and best wishes from me to my Tamil brothers in chennai, I wish it doesn't rain any more, and chennai returns to normal life, I think at least now the city planners build good drainage system, all the natural nalas, and drains has been illegally occupied and shanty shops and buildings have been built on them, now suffering for that, has the people of chennai asked better roads and drainage system instead of free TV or mixy, it would have been better, the coovar stream has become foul smelling gutter for years choked with tons of plastic, now when water came it did not flow, its the same with adyar. At least now the city planners and CM herself understands the importance of sophisticated drainage system.

It will never happen. People will forget the flood in 2 months and so will the govt and constructions will start again.

 

[samv]

OK I think we have both said our pieces and have taken this as off-topic as far as it needs....we will let people judge for themselves.

Enjoy Ranil, Sirisena and your special war crimes court!

Enjoy Jayalalitha, Karunanidhi, Vaiko and your floods.

 

[Bitter Melon]

I am back, internet and power restored today!

Personally did not face any big issues, power was cut to prevent accidents, and streets were flooded, had a scare at one point. 2 houses on the lower side of my street got flooded, they were living on the first floor due to the rains water flooding (these houses usually have lots of water even during normal rains).

The real big scare occurred after the rains for us, when the sun was out shining. Streets/ground had dried out or was pretty much getting there, and then suddenly noticed the storm water drains in the garden started spewing out water, and the roads start to fill up again, even though there was full sunshine! Entire garden was submerged in a short while and the street water also started to enter via the gate, and then it starts to get cloudy and drizzling starts again! We started to prepare for a water logged ground floor, shifting stuff up to the first floor. Night was full of tension...constantly checking on the water level, seemed stable, and later luckily it started to recede, and by the morning, even waters on the street started to recede.(Grandmom made a deal with god, so now have to go to local Amman temple and break 2 coconuts! )

The rainfall seems to have proceeded in stages, the first part there was huge amount of rain (16-18), the areas that were affected most were the outer areas, and areas close to the catchment regions. It filled up many of the reservoirs, and they had to be opened, the second (29-1) made all these dams go critical and forced the authorities the open up the dams, out of which water came out gushing with full force, washing away/submerging encroachments that had grown over the years I heard that there was water flowing over Thiru vi ka bridge and over the saidapet bridge, and flooding the surrounding areas. This then caused stress on the already overworked drain system which then caused water to come through storm water drains into streets/peoples houses, even in areas usually considered higher ground.

As far as response from various authorities goes I think they did okay.Municipal corp people were always around checking drains etc. I had to call the fire dept and electricity dept due to some emergency in our neighbors place, at three in the morning, they responded quickly. so no problems there. Even now there is constant movement of army trucks and helicopters flying around from time to time. The self help groups with local people working to help each other and networking on social media was a huge plus (silly rumours on SM being a big minus!!!)

Also I also had a WOW moment, roads completely flooded, no power,patchy phones,internet, but milk still arrived!
Not just for me, many others too:

Also was happy to find out that all people I know have got through unharmed, although there was some serious destruction of property. City is slowly limping back to normal.
Also big thank you to all the people from various parts who have been sending help/essential items and other things

A wonderful informative and heart warming post both about the city, its indefatigable citizens, and civic authorities. Glad you are safe.

 

[vayuputhra]

It will never happen. People will forget the flood in 2 months and so will the govt and constructions will start again.

People who have such less memory and are selfish and greedy cannot move forward in the right direction, I whish the people of chennai force the politicians to do a better job, and cleanup the coovar and adyar, as well as the main nalas, this is nothing but the result of neglect of drainage system, and allowing people to build illegal structures near or on the drains, that is why we bangaloreans are shouting not to allow constructions on raja kaluves(main nalas constructed by erstwhile king kempegowda) today's engineers and politicians have no idea of the flow of water and concequences, the ruling class is allowing construction on natural nalas and lakebeds, it will have bad consequences if there is flooding. Even though it is raining so heavily in chennai there is not much rain here in bangalore, it is heard AMMA and KALAIGNAR is using the situation for political gain, and distributing relief materials with their party symbols on them, this is height of TN politics, and that you said it right people will forget it and move on but not all.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

People who have such less memory and are selfish and greedy cannot move forward in the right direction, I whish the people of chennai force the politicians to do a better job, and cleanup the coovar and adyar, as well as the main nalas, this is nothing but the result of neglect of drainage system, and allowing people to build illegal structures near or on the drains, that is why we bangaloreans are shouting not to allow constructions on raja kaluves(main nalas constructed by erstwhile king kempegowda) today's engineers and politicians have no idea of the flow of water and concequences, the ruling class is allowing construction on natural nalas and lakebeds, it will have bad consequences if there is flooding. Even though it is raining so heavily in chennai there is not much rain here in bangalore, it is heard AMMA and KALAIGNAR is using the situation for political gain, and distributing relief materials with their party symbols on them, this is height of TN politics, and that you said it right people will forget it and move on but not all.

There is one area in North Chennai called Royapuram. And that area was not flooded. On being enquired by journalist, it was found, British built drainage system saved them from floods. After reading that article I was WTF.

So what has the govt done over past 7 decades is one to be decoded. Moreover civil works are nowadays are given to a cartels. I can personally attest to that. My street road was raised to a height of more than our flats. When asked the councillor, whose son is owning that company and doing the works, he told they have to give 40% to the ADMK high command, 10% to bereaucrats and got to finish the work in remaining 50%.
I bet he would have taken some 20% himself, and what quality works one can expect in 30%??. He even attested situation all over TN is the same. So much corruption openly.

 

[Jamwal's]

The "mighty Tamils" they boasted. Their supporters in Tamil Nadu were absolutely gleeful.

Maybe KADAVUL exists.

STFU Theseravaparera ...... Though I am a North Indian but I know that mighty Tamils did existed who colonized sri Lanka for years and took slaves with them ... So how about free history lessons Lankan.

And don't blame your failures on others .... the failures which led half of your country as hostage and utter humiliation as nation for 30 years.


As for floods don't worry about probably the GDP of TN is more than a island which is still bagging the world for small ports and railways.

 

[AMCA]

Reminds me of the time when Tamil terrorists attacked Colombo airport and their supporters were gloating about how they managed to bring a halt to all air traffic. The "mighty Tamils" they boasted. Their supporters in Tamil Nadu were absolutely gleeful.

Maybe KADAVUL exists.

You are such a low life. Really ashamed to even quote you.

 

[samv]

STFU Theseravaparera ...... Though I am a North Indian but I know that mighty Tamils did existed who colonized sri Lanka for years and took slaves with them ... So how about free history lessons Lankan.

And don't blame your failures on others .... the failures which led half of your country as hostage and utter humiliation as nation for 30 years.


As for floods don't worry about probably the GDP of TN is more than a island which is still bagging the world for small ports and railways.

Sri Lanka is a million times better than Toilet Nadu. That's why (Indian) Tamils begged to be Sri Lankan citizens.

You are such a low life. Really ashamed to even quote you.

I heard the planes couldn't take off from Chennai airport? vazhga tamizh!

 

[AMCA]

I heard the planes couldn't take off from Chennai airport? vazhga tamizh!

They do! And Chennai is not the only international airport in Tamil Nadu.

 

[samv]

They do! And Chennai is not the only international airport in Tamil Nadu.

Planes stuck for days. Sads.

 

[Jamwal's]

Sri Lanka is a million times better than Toilet Nadu. That's why (Indian) Tamils begged to be Sri Lankan citizens.




I heard the planes couldn't take off from Chennai airport? vazhga tamizh!

LAMO they colonized and now permanently occupied your Northern part to this day changed the demography of the Island forever and ruling 1/4 of the Island and left you to cry on international forums.

You were always colonized by outsiders first by Indians then by Dutch and British whereas Indians are the biggest colonizer group - how many they are 70% in northern and eastern provinces respectively

The world even feel pity for the natives.

 

[AMCA]

Planes stuck for days. Sads.

Unfortunately yes! You will not take off or land. Wasn't it the same when your island nation was affected?

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

LAMO they colonized and now permanently occupied your Northern part to this day changed the demography of the Island forever and ruling 1/4 of the Island and left you to cry on international forums.

You were always colonized by outsiders first by Indians then by Dutch and British whereas Indians are the biggest colonizer group - how many they are 20 %

The world even feel pity for the natives.

Pointless to discuss with this well know Sinhala fanactic. He is Sinhala version of LTTE fanatic @manlion

His own citizens do not wish to return from India to land of milk and honey Sri Lanka fearing their safety.

Tamil refugees are neither here nor there - The Hindu

I doubt he can comprehend how insulting this is to his nation.