By K. Lakshmi and R. Srikanth
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With the meteorological department forecasting near normal rainfall this monsoon, a section of residents in vulnerable areas raises doubts about infrastructure needed to control urban flooding. People in some localities like Anna Nagar Western Extension were relieved that the desilted stormwater drains (SWD) and freshly added infrastructure helped to drain rainwater off the roads.
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In contrast to this, residents of other areas such as Mylapore and Saligramam blamed poor stormwater drains for their localities covered with sheets of water long after the rain abated.
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However, the official word is that one need not fear a repeat of the December 2015 situation, since a lot of preparatory work has been done. Officials of government agencies engaged in monsoon preparedness noted that the long-term flood mitigation works implemented so far in Chennai and its neighbouring districts would help to reduce the severity of floods, experienced in 2015, by 65% to 70%.
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Meanwhile, weather experts note that monsoon preparedness is more focussed on tackling urban floods. But it is also about drought preparedness and harnessing rainwater.