Centre's report states floods could have been avoided, DMK asks CM to take responsibility

Following the Centre's observation that the Chennai floods could have been avoided by the state government, DMK on Tuesday asked for an enquiry into the matter and also asked CM Jayalalithaa to take responsibility.

Recently, an analysis by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences revealed that the floods in Chennai were because of poor drainage systems and heavy rains.

The report also states that the ministry had informed the state government about heavy rainfall 48 hours earlier.

The study by officials and scientists says that the floods could have been avoided if the Tamil Nadu government was quick to act against the disaster. 

Talking to The News Minute, K. Kanimozhi, State's Women’s wing organiser of the DMK, said, "The ministry had informed the state government and concerned authorities about the disaster much ahead that there will be 111 percent increase in rainfall." 

DMK had also submitted a memorandum to the governor stating that during floods, proper action was not taken and it was because of the negligence of the Tamil Nadu government. "The water was opened at night and they said they had announced it on television but there was no power supply. People were not warned," Kanimozhi said.

DMK wants a proper inquiry as to what happened. "There is no point blaming officers. There are ministers and the CM has to take responsibility and fair compensation needs to be paid to the people," she said.

She also said that every year the Tamil Nadu government is supposed to clear the canals before the rain. For the past four years, it has never been done, she said. "The water holding capacity of the lakes and reservoirs was very less that is why Chembarambakkam had to be opened and despite so much of rainwater, there is hardly any water now," she said.

AIADMK claimed that it was all because of the rains. "During Deepavali, the dams were filled up. We never thought that so much rain would come. There was non-stop rain, if the dam would have broken, think what would have happened to Chennai? We had to open the dam to save the people," said C R Saraswathi, AIADMK spokersperson.

She said that as elections are approaching, people want to make each and everything a political issue. Appreciating CM Jayalalithaa's efforts, she said, "I’m very glad to tell you this that within five days, our chief minister restored normalcy. More than 8 lakh people were taken to camps. Did you hear of any outbreak of diseases in Chennai or Cuddalore? No diseases at all. She has taken care of the people."