The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has started mechanical desilting of clogged stormwater drains at road junctions to prepare for the Southeast monsoon. Even though the city receives copious rain only during the Northeast monsoon season, the civic body has started work on mechanical desilting because of the rising number of complaints about clogged drains in various parts of the city.

On Saturday, the Chennai Corporation deployed machines in congested stretches such as Haddows Road to clear clogged drains. Work is under way at road junctions in areas such as Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Ambattur, and Teynampet.

Ward 104 councillor T.V.Shemmozhi said the drains crossing the road junctions such as Anna Nagar Thirteenth Main Road - Fourth Avenue have been clogged for a long time, causing water stagnation during the rain. “The residents have demanded the Chennai Corporation to start mechanical desilting of the drains at the road junctions of Anna Nagar. We need mechanical desilting near Vaigai Kudiyiruppu, J Block, Anna Nagar to prevent flooding,” he said.

Ward 99 councillor Parithi Ilamsurithi said the residents have demanded mechanical desilting of drains at clogged drains near road junctions of Purasawalkam. “In addition to mechanical desilting of clogged drains at road junctions, the Chennai Corporation has to complete the work on incomplete drains also. Owing to metro rail work, the flood risk is high in Purasawalkam High Road. Residents have also demanded the GCC to expedite the work on storm water drains on Brick Kiln Road and Gangadeeswarar Koil Road. Work on storm water drain has been stopped at Salaimanagar along Brick Kiln Road as the work involves a road crossing. Over 90% of the work has been completed. Residents demand that the work be expedited,” he said.