Devastating Flooding Events to be Seen in Chennai, Who’s to Blame?

Nov 10, 2021 by Kashish Bhardwaj in India

The Indian Metrological department has issued a red alert in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu till November 11, 2021

Chennai is experiencing heavy rainfall and devastating flood events followed by it, which are still affecting thousands of people in the city. The Indian Metrological Department has issued a red alert in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu till November 11, 2021.

This is the heaviest rainfall reported in the city since 2015. As per the officials, there is a high possibility that it would rain the next two days, which might further amplify the flooding in low-lying areas. Local media covered some footages of submerged cars and trees. People are being rescued using rubber boats.

Devastating Flooding Events to be Seen in Chennai, Who’s to be Blamed?

Image: PTI

On November 9, 2021, the Madras High Court criticized Greater Chennai Corporation for failing “to take adequate measures to prevent inundation in the city during rains” and firmly asked the authorities about their work post-2015 floods. The court warned the authorities for initiating suo motu proceedings if the situation doesn’t get under control.

The high court also indicated that the corporation makes the citizens cry for water for half of the year and die in the water the other half. Approximately five people have died in the incident, around 538 sheds and four houses have been damaged.

Madras High Court warns Chennai Corporation for “failure to take adequate measures to prevent inundation in city during rains”, asks what were authorities doing post 2015 floods

The Court warns of initiating suo motu proceeding if waterlogging situation not brought under control pic.twitter.com/kScr1mabaD

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2021

Chennai is known to experience heavy rainfall events every year. However, experts say that bad urban planning and underdevelopment are the reasons that have led to increasing levels of destruction. Unaffected parts of Chennai are also facing problems such as power cuts that have been put in place to avoid incidents of electrocution.

Also Read: With Increasing Flooding Millions Will Suffer More in the Future

Dr. Shekhar Raghavan of Chennai Rain Centre clarified that the flooding events happened mainly because of climate change but mismanagement was at its peak, which is why the situation worsened even more. Various environmental studies have revealed that many coastal regions, including those of India’s, will experience much intense and devastating flooding events in the coming years amid relentless global warming.