After a pipe carrying sewage leak on the Thiru Vi Ka Bridge across the Adyar river in Chennai, a huge crater has appeared on the bridge. Authorities closed a portion of the bridge on Wednesday, December 6. Initially, cracks had emerged on the road following which the traffic police had closed off the stretch. Authorities say that the pipe burst because of the pressure from the gas formed due to sewage. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board authorities have begun to replace the pipe and close the caved-in road using an earthmover. The bridge connects Adyar with Mylapore and RA Puram.
According to reports, due to the ongoing works, authorities may close down the stretch entirely to complete the repair works, which may cause traffic congestion. Initially it was suspected that the water flow under the bridge could have caused the damage. However, authorities found that a pipe beneath the road had burst open, leading to the road caving in. The crater was around two to three feet in depth.
Several parts of Chennai are inundated with flood water due to the heavy rains which lashed the city triggered by cyclone Michaung. As the rains have stopped authorities have begun draining out the water. But many parts of the city continue to be water-logged and suffer from power outages. The sewage pipe carries water from the Adyar river to the Koovam river.
According to reports, nearly 4,000 cusecs of water has been released from Chembarambakkam water reservoir (one of the largest water reservoirs) in Chennai, on Tuesday, December 5. For the first time since 2015, the lake reached 23.45 ft, close to its maximum capacity of 24 ft.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sought Rs 5,060 crores as interim flood relief from the Union government. He wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for the money to handle the damages caused by cyclone Michaung.
According to a press statement, CM Stalin, in his letter, has pointed out that Tamil Nadu witnessed unprecedented rainfall, especially in four districts - Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu. He also added that there has been severe infrastructural damages, including on roads, bridges and public buildings, in addition to livelihood losses of thousands of people. Further, he had also said that a detailed assessment of damages was underway, and once a complete report was prepared, a request for additional funds would be sent.