Demand for cleaning and widening of canals intensifies in Madurai before monsoon

Tamil Nadu: To address the problem of waterlogging during the monsoon season in Madurai, local residents have demanded the municipal administration clean and widen the canals. Residents say that if the canals and stormwater drainage system are not repaired in time, many areas could face flooding during the upcoming monsoon season.

People say that Madurai city has several major canals for rainwater drainage, but due to lack of proper maintenance, the flow of water is hampered. Many canals are clogged with silt, garbage, and sewage from nearby residential areas. This not only hinders water drainage during the monsoon season but also poses a health risk to residents living nearby.

Madurai has a total of 16 major canals, which are used to drain rainwater from various areas of the city during the monsoon season. These include the Krithumal Canal, Pandalgudi Canal, Panayur Canal, and Chintamani Canal, among others. These canals carry rainwater from the city’s low-lying areas and, at many locations, reach the Vaigai River.

In addition, numerous small and large stormwater drains exist within the Madurai Municipal Corporation area, serving to drain water from various parts of the city. However, local residents allege that their capacity is steadily declining due to a lack of regular cleaning of these drains and canals.

City residents report that sewage from nearby homes and areas is directly flowing into many canals. This is causing dirt to accumulate in the canals and obstructing water flow. The accumulation of garbage at various locations has narrowed the canals. During the rainy season, these blockages cause waterlogging.

Residents report that the accumulated waste and filth in the canals is contributing to the stench problem. Furthermore, the increased infestation of mosquitoes and other insects poses a risk of spreading diseases among residents. The risk of dengue, malaria, and other waterborne diseases increases, especially during the monsoon season.

The southwest monsoon has already become active in Tamil Nadu, and the northeast monsoon is also expected to arrive in the coming months. During the northeast monsoon, many parts of the state receive heavy rainfall. Strengthening the drainage system in Madurai city poses a significant challenge for the administration.

Local residents have appealed to the Madurai Municipal Corporation, District Administration, and Public Works Department (PWD) officials to conduct special cleaning of all canals and stormwater drains before the onset of the monsoon season. They have demanded that not only cleaning, but also widening and deepening of canals should be considered as a long-term solution.

Citizens say that increasing the capacity of canals will allow water to drain out faster during the rainy season and significantly reduce the problem of waterlogging in the city. Strict action should also be taken against illegal dumping of garbage and sewage around canals.

It is reported that several major canals, such as the Krithumal and Pandalgudi, fall under the control of the Water Resources Department. Therefore, better coordination is needed between the Municipal Corporation and related departments to ensure timely cleaning and maintenance work.

City residents stated that a robust drainage system is essential for a historic and rapidly developing city like Madurai. Given the problems that arise during the annual rainy season, work should be done towards a permanent solution.

All eyes are now on the Madurai Municipal Corporation and related departments to see what steps they take to clean, repair, and widen the canals before the monsoon. People hope that the administration will take timely action to provide relief to city residents from the problems of waterlogging and filth during the rainy season.