Chembarambakkam Reservoir Full After 30 Years, Nandambakkam Flooded
Continuous inflow from heavy rains has pushed Chembarambakkam Reservoir to its full storage level of 24 feet after nearly 30 years, leading to severe flooding in surrounding residential areas, especially Nandambakkam.
The reservoir is currently holding about 3,645 million cubic feet of water, resulting in more than 100 houses in Ambedkar Nagar being marooned. Several homes are partially submerged, forcing residents to evacuate and seek shelter with relatives or in a nearby mosque. The locality has effectively turned into an isolated island, with access roads under stagnant water.
Residents say such flooding is unusual, as surplus water is typically released in stages. They allege that retaining water at full capacity has caused hardship, disrupting daily life and raising health concerns due to stagnant water and waste accumulation.
Responding to the situation, a Water Resources Department official stated that the submerged areas are encroachments and that the water level is being maintained at present.
