Chennai:
After the heavy showers that lashed the city over the last week, residents of Puzhal were inundated for a second time this month when the Red Hills reservoir was opened on Saturday morning.
With no warning from officials or the local town panchayat, residents had no choice but to stay in their homes and wait with mounting frustration. Outside their homes, a flowing river mixed with sewage and inside, a day-long power cut.
Sridhar Ramasamy, president of the Macro Marvel County Association, said, "I have run away from that area. I moved my family into a hotel as soon as soon as they started letting out the water." He said that informed sources had told him that 100 cubic feet per second was let out on Saturday morning and this was increased to 1,000 by early evening. On Sunday, the outflow was raised to 2,500 cubic feet per second.
"I have no idea how I will get to work on Monday morning," said Senthil Kumar, a resident currently stranded inside his home. He adds, "I think I just might have to swim."
The last time the reservoir was opened without notice was in the first week of November, and this time the residents claim the waterlogging is even worse. One resident complains, "The moment I come out of my house, the water is knee-deep and in some areas it even reaches your waist."
After the first flooding this month, Sridhar claims to have written to multiple authorities -- the Chief Secretary, the Collector, the newly elected Mayor and even the CM. "Not even a single response, " he seethes. "It has reached a point where we don't even know who to complain to."