Floods in Chennai
This is a well presented article ("Chennai floods are not a natural disaster – they've been created by unrestrained construction"). From now on, the government should present a white paper on the status of water bodies and waterways. It should ensure that there are no encroachments or construction obstructing water flow.
What is the use of swanky malls and glossy high-rises if you cannot live at the ground level during the monsoon and have access to basic necessities? – ssjindu on email
***
A beautiful write-up that presents the facts in a nutshell, simply explaining how the ill-conceived actions of successive governments contributed to this ignominious situation.
It's well known that vote bank politics pursued by Dravidian parties lent tacit support to the encroachment of water bodies and waterways. Other political parties, both regional and national, were also to blame because they did not make any fitting protests as they were also fringe beneficiaries.
The article would have been stronger had the author offered his suggestions about steps that should be taken to retain and improve available sources and stop any further deterioration. – G Janakiraman
***
A big salute to all those officials and others who are working relentlessly to bring Chennai back to normal.
It is evident that human greed is responsible for this disaster. If lakes and ponds were not transformed into a concrete jungle, we wouldn't be facing this situation, and that too for mere 35 cm of rain. A proactive rather than a reactive approach will be the key.
The current situation is an eye-opener and we must take a cue from this disaster. All waterbeds and drain channels should be repaired by the government and consistent co-operation from the public is crucial in maintaining them to avoid dreadful consequences in the future. – Hari Balaj
***
The flooding in Chennai is a man-made disaster. Lake bunds were cut open by encroachers over fears that their houses would be inundated with water. This eventually resulted in flooding in residential areas. Officials never bothered to look into issues such as maintenance of lakes and unmindful construction. There will be no remedy for this problem so long as the bureaucracy is corrupt. The water will find its way through come what may. – padru1954 on email
***
A very nice analysis of the recent floods in Chennai and the inconvenience caused to its citizens because of unchecked, improperly planned suburban growth by successive governments over the past few decades.
The madness created and being pursued over developing Chennai as the centre of manufacturing for multi-national corporations and other associated companies is only going make life more difficult. I hope that everyone involved will wake up and work in the right direction to solve these problems. – M Nagarajan
***
Politicians and other civil servants make more money through construction activities. This is evident from the amount of time it takes to get clearances and approvals for projects.
None of our leaders have thought out ways to make things easy for the common man. Builders and our so-called leaders are laughing their way to the bank. – RGV
***
This is a great analysis of the flood situation and the writer has succeeded in pinpointing the failures that led to this predicament. The problems will continue until the expansion of housing schemes is relieved of money-making real estate sharks.
Technocrats should be firm about implementing basic infrastructure. A separate department should be formed to manage the tanks and water drainage system of the state. – Sadasivam
***
A wonderful article. There is no point in conducting post-mortems as they will only draw tears of frustration. The issue is how much of the damage can be reversed, if at all, and how one can prevent any further degradation while trying to reverse what is irreversible?
One cannot help but think back to our ancestors who planned the drainage of the entire state so sensibly a thousand years ago.
I assume that some concerned citizens have gone to court in this regard, but have they had any success? – ravikatz on email
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
This is a well presented article ("Chennai floods are not a natural disaster – they've been created by unrestrained construction"). From now on, the government should present a white paper on the status of water bodies and waterways. It should ensure that there are no encroachments or construction obstructing water flow.
What is the use of swanky malls and glossy high-rises if you cannot live at the ground level during the monsoon and have access to basic necessities? – ssjindu on email
***
A beautiful write-up that presents the facts in a nutshell, simply explaining how the ill-conceived actions of successive governments contributed to this ignominious situation.
It's well known that vote bank politics pursued by Dravidian parties lent tacit support to the encroachment of water bodies and waterways. Other political parties, both regional and national, were also to blame because they did not make any fitting protests as they were also fringe beneficiaries.
The article would have been stronger had the author offered his suggestions about steps that should be taken to retain and improve available sources and stop any further deterioration. – G Janakiraman
***
A big salute to all those officials and others who are working relentlessly to bring Chennai back to normal.
It is evident that human greed is responsible for this disaster. If lakes and ponds were not transformed into a concrete jungle, we wouldn't be facing this situation, and that too for mere 35 cm of rain. A proactive rather than a reactive approach will be the key.
The current situation is an eye-opener and we must take a cue from this disaster. All waterbeds and drain channels should be repaired by the government and consistent co-operation from the public is crucial in maintaining them to avoid dreadful consequences in the future. – Hari Balaj
***
The flooding in Chennai is a man-made disaster. Lake bunds were cut open by encroachers over fears that their houses would be inundated with water. This eventually resulted in flooding in residential areas. Officials never bothered to look into issues such as maintenance of lakes and unmindful construction. There will be no remedy for this problem so long as the bureaucracy is corrupt. The water will find its way through come what may. – padru1954 on email
***
A very nice analysis of the recent floods in Chennai and the inconvenience caused to its citizens because of unchecked, improperly planned suburban growth by successive governments over the past few decades.
The madness created and being pursued over developing Chennai as the centre of manufacturing for multi-national corporations and other associated companies is only going make life more difficult. I hope that everyone involved will wake up and work in the right direction to solve these problems. – M Nagarajan
***
Politicians and other civil servants make more money through construction activities. This is evident from the amount of time it takes to get clearances and approvals for projects.
None of our leaders have thought out ways to make things easy for the common man. Builders and our so-called leaders are laughing their way to the bank. – RGV
***
This is a great analysis of the flood situation and the writer has succeeded in pinpointing the failures that led to this predicament. The problems will continue until the expansion of housing schemes is relieved of money-making real estate sharks.
Technocrats should be firm about implementing basic infrastructure. A separate department should be formed to manage the tanks and water drainage system of the state. – Sadasivam
***
A wonderful article. There is no point in conducting post-mortems as they will only draw tears of frustration. The issue is how much of the damage can be reversed, if at all, and how one can prevent any further degradation while trying to reverse what is irreversible?
One cannot help but think back to our ancestors who planned the drainage of the entire state so sensibly a thousand years ago.
I assume that some concerned citizens have gone to court in this regard, but have they had any success? – ravikatz on email