Permanent flood prevention work in Madurai inaugurated

Madurai: Minister for commercial taxes and registration P Moorthy inaugurated permanent flood prevention work in Madurai district on Saturday at an estimated cost of 30.92 crore on behalf of the water resources department.The work was carried out in Madurai east circle, covering Uthangudi village, TM Nagar and Lake Area Nagar, and involved the construction of retaining walls at the entry points of Eechanodai, Uthangudi Kanmai surplus water channel and Saathaiyaar Odai into Vandiyur Kanmai.The work followed heavy rains and flooding in Oct 2024, when water flowed through Eechanodai, Uthangudi Kanmai surplus water channels and Saathaiyaar Odai at the entry points of Vandiyur Kanmai, causing damage to embankments in low-lying areas and resulting in breaches in the channels. The floodwater caused disruptions to the lives of many residents in the area.To protect people in these areas from recurring flood damage, the construction of flood protection walls on both sides of the channels and streams in low-lying areas was identified as essential.About 9,000 people living in around 700 houses in the residential areas of TM Nagar and Lake Area within Madurai municipal corporation limits in Uthangudi village are expected to benefit directly and indirectly from flood protection.