WRD collaborates with Japanese firm for a flood mitigation project in Chennai

The Water Resources Department has collaborated with a Japanese firm to fix an automatic water level recorder and camera in the regulator of Manapakkam channel that drains into Adyar river. The pilot project would help regulate flood water and alleviate flooding in the surrounding areas during this monsoon.

Once the pilot project proves to be successful, this would soon be replicated in other city water channels. Officials of the WRD said the department has tied up with Heiwa Joho System Company from Japan for installing and monitoring automatic water level recorder in the regulator of Manapakkam channel near Little Flower school, Manapakkam.

The work would be completed this week to help monitor floodwater flow and diversion to other water channels. The water level recorder is being fixed at the diversion point of Kolapakkam –I channel for better flood water management.

The effort comes after the flood mitigation projects carrying out in two phases to improve minor channels in and around Porur lake and those draining into Adyar river. The projects were executed during 2021-22 and 2023-24 at a total cost of Rs.334 crore to bridge some of the missing gaps, desilting and widening of the channels. Porur lake’s surplus course was also improved as part of the project.

“We will get live updates about the flow in the channel. When there is peak flood water flow, it will be diverted to other channels like Kolapakkam and Gerugambakkam channels. This will reduce the burden on Manapakkam channel and prevent spillover onto neighbouring areas,” said a senior official.

The Manapakkam channel has a flood carrying capacity of 650-700 cubic feet per second (cusecs) and up to 50% of the excess water can be diverted to other minor channels.

Every year, localities such as Madhanandapuram, Manapakkam, Kolappakkam and Mugalivakkam face the threat of inundation during this monsoon. Such measures are being carried out to manage and also reduce the floods during extreme rainfall events, officials added.

Published - November 28, 2024 12:40 am IST