Heavy discharge from the overflowing Chembarambakkam Lake has led to severe waterlogging in several residential neighbourhoods of Nandambakkam in Kundrathur, Chennai. The reservoir, having reached its maximum storage level, has been releasing surplus water, which has overflowed into adjoining channels and inundated low-lying pockets.
Monsoon Rainfall and Reservoir Capacity
The Chembarambakkam reservoir attained its full capacity of 3,645 million cubic feet (mcft) following intense rainfall brought by the northeast monsoon and Cyclone Ditwah. The lake continued to receive a significant inflow of approximately 700 cubic feet per second (cusecs) from its catchment areas. To manage the level, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has been releasing water at a rate of 700 cusecs. This release includes 194 cusecs supplied to Chennai Metrowater for drinking water purposes.
Prolonged Flooding and Resident Hardship
The surplus discharge from the lake has caused knee-deep water stagnation in multiple hamlets within Nandambakkam, including Ambedkar Nagar and Periya Colony. This has rendered many homes uninhabitable, damaging household belongings and disrupting access to essential services. Numerous residents have been compelled to seek shelter with relatives or move to local relief centres.
K Ravi, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar 8th Street, highlighted the unusual duration of the flooding. He stated that while water stagnation is common during rains, it typically drains quickly. "This year, the reservoir reached full capacity and continued to release water, leading to prolonged inundation for over a week. The water will drain only after the surplus discharge from the reservoir is stopped," he explained.
Underlying Causes and Official Response
Local activists and residents point to long-term neglect as the root cause of the recurring problem. Civic activist V Pughalvethan from Kundrathur cited the lack of proper desilting and deepening of the waterbody, which reduces its capacity to hold excess monsoon water. "While it is a positive sign that the monsoon has brought good rainfall, people continue to suffer because the lake cannot accommodate excess water. The department is aware of the problem, yet fails to take permanent measures," he said. Pughalvethan also alluded to internal political issues hindering lasting solutions, despite initiatives from the local MLA.
When contacted, a senior WRD official acknowledged that encroachments near the lake bund have persisted for over three decades, making waterlogging a chronic monsoon issue. The official assured that steps would be taken to prevent such inundation during future rainy periods.
