WRD deploys additional machinery to step up desilting work at Adyar river mouth

The Water Resources Department (WRD) has deployed additional machinery to clear sedimentation in the Adyar river mouth to enable floodwater to drain smoothly during the Northeast monsoon.

The department began the exercise to remove sand deposits, which accumulate during the tidal action, from the Adyar river mouth in September. A total of 16 machines is now being engaged to expedite the work.

This follows the directive of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who made a surprise visit to the river on Friday.

Officials of the WRD said a special team of engineers had been formed to ensure the speedy completion of work to widen the river mouth up to 250 metres. Three additional field engineers from Krishna Water Supply Project Division had also been deputed for the work.

The Adyar now flows at about 5,000 cubic feet per second. Once the desilting is completed, it will be able to safely drain about 40,000 cusecs into the sea.

Currently, about 750 cusecs of surplus water is being discharged from Chembarambakkam reservoir to facilitate flood buffer storage during heavy rain spells. The reservoir has a storage of nearly 80% of its full capacity of 3,645 million cubic feet.

“We plan to continue desilting the Adyar river mouth till the year-end to minimise flood risk in the localities along the river banks,” an official said.

The WRD expects that inundation in flood-prone areas in the southern suburbs may be alleviated this year as the river has been widened up to 100 metres in some portions.

Meanwhile, the discharge from Red Hills reservoir was reduced on Saturday to half of the previous day’s outflow to manage storage levels.