Published in Dwarka Express on 10.12.23

Chennai is literally sinking due to unprecedented rains, rather multiple times of 2015. While cars were floating, boats were seen in roads, ferrying the stranded people. NASA predicts that cities like Chennai would sink by the year 2100. The fast-growing urban cities like Chennai are put to severe stress. Why Chennai alone is affected? Is it a deliberate act of cyclone to punish Chennai? It is not just a natural disaster, but human callousness!

Clogged Strom Water Drains

The common man does not apply his mind about the status of the land while purchasing a property. Most of the residential colonies came up either in lake or low-lying areas. Further, no serious concern was shown towards disappearing Strom Water Drains (SWD). If the flow of water in the SWDs is intruded by residential colonies, then where will the excessive rain water go? Sadly, the difference between the SWD and Sewerage drains is not understood. The result is apparent in the present inundation.

Marooned Marshlands

Not only this, the marshlands are also not spared by builders. Marshlands are the vital links in the ecosystem as they recharge the ground water by its spongy nature in addition to serving as home for millions of living organisms. Tamil Nadu has the largest number of marshlands, which is often lauded in global forums. Pichavaram and Vedanthangal near Chennai are the major marshlands, (also called Ramsar lands). Some of the marshlands are spared while many others are vanishing due to encroachment.

Lakes become layouts

Chennai’s major lakes like Puzhal, Korattur, Cholavaram, Chembarambakkam and Madhuranthagam which could feed the whole of Chennai were overflowing this time. During 2015 floods, Chembarambakkam was full and was posing a threat of flooding in Chennai. This time also it was slowly inching towards its maximum capacity level. Long ago, the lake is said to have fed 39 villages around it. Slowly the capacity was reduced to 60 % due to sedimentation, encroachment and trash dumping. As the lake is in upper terrain, obviously the excess water would flood the city if there is incessant rain.

Disappeared rivers

Chennai’s three major rivers, Kosasthalaiyar in north, Adyar in south, and Cooum in the middle are connected by the Buckingham canal, built in the 19th century for navigational purposes. Cooum turned into a foul-smelling drain long back. These rivers were once the lifelines of Chennai, but mushrooming slums with migratory population worsened the situation. No Govt has been able to bring back the past glory of these rivers.

Save the city from sinking

Periodical desilting and dredging besides revamping the existing common STP network could stop the flooding. SWDs should be rejuvenated and desilted on top priority and encroachments must be removed by exploring resettlement and rehabilitation of slum dwellers. A comprehensive revamp by bringing latest technology and modernizing existing sewer lines will alone help addressing the complex task looming large before Chennai. Simultaneously, a large-scale green cover is essential to absorb the heat and pollutants. Global warming due to El Nino condition further aggravates the frequency and harshness of the heat conditions. The carbon generated due to swelling automobiles and industries needs to be absorbed. Though in today’s complex situation, it appears to be a formidable task, it is feasible by strong political will coupled with efficient Govt machinery and need based fund allocation. The drone shots clearly portrayed the magnitude of devastation. It is all because we do not have scientific water management in place. There is no proper rain water harvesting in place. We have lost 1000s of lakes. Should we not create/restore the native, ecologically sound, resilient waterbodies management? Should we not identify the catchment areas and exploit them to the best available capacity? Looking at the present rate of inundation, it appears that Chennai might meet its destiny soon, if corrective steps are not taken on war footing. Prevention of disaster is better than managing it after it happens.

Published in Dwarka Express on 2.12.23

By the time, this newspaper reaches your hands, we pretty well know that you are celebrating one more Diwali, hailing the work of rescue team as well as the recued workers of the Sikyara Tunnel, Uttarakhand. South Express too joins the bandwagon of the millions who rejoice in spontaneous emotions and sense of relief. Of course, this is the time for celebration. We do not deny it. At the same time, there are certain pertinent questions that need soul searching.

Are we doing the right thing in drilling a tunnel to build a road?  If the road goes around the silkyara hill, any traveller will have to cover a distance 45 KMS whereas the tunnel route will reduce the distance by 45 Kms as the travel will take about 4.5 KMs. Proponents of infra development may argue that tunnelling reduces carbon footprints on fossil fuel front. Though this is attractive, we should not be myopic and ignore the recent Joshi math tragedy. The scientific community often warned the impact of tunnels in the zone that has tectonic fault lines. The Himalayas were formed due to continental drifts and is still prone to loose rock collisions. The Hyderabad based Navayoga Engg. Co., constructing Silkyara tunnel is said to have flouted the safety norms. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been subject to thorough quality audits before environmental clearance was accorded. It appears that escape route was not planned though it is needed for tunnelling beyond 3 KMs. It appears that escape route was not planned though it is needed for tunnelling beyond 3 KMs. When the 41 tunnel workers were trapped, we shed crocodile tears, appreciate bravery and after sometime, life goes on as usual. The assessment report will bring everything to light soon.

Of course, the trapped workers had the grit and will power as most of them are young. They are naturally empowered to face all adversities in life as they do not sit in posh AC rooms. Had the collapse happened after commencement of the tunnel route, just think of those who have claustrophobia or those who are elderly. Had some tourists been trapped, what would be the repercussion? Had there been no communication possibilities in the instant case, what would have happened for the trapped workers? The developmental activities must focus on sustainability aspects. Mega Projects need thorough and comprehensive EIA. EC must be given only after proper geological studies and simultaneous building of escape route is essential for avoiding ‘future Silkyaras’. NGT had banned rat mining activities. But when machines failed, the rescue team had to rely on man who risks his life to make the tunnel like a rat. But he is also at risk, which we should not forget. Landslides, cloudbursts, earthquakes are frequently happening. Warning bell is already ringing loud. It is better to revisit all the ongoing or just completed tunnelling projects executed in the last decade in the geologically delicate Himalayas. Save Himalayas, save Human lives!