Oppostion slams Government over handling of torrential rains, floods

CHENNAI: Opposition parties, including DMK, today questioned the Tamil Nadu government's handling of the torrential rains and floods that devastated the city, raising questions over discharge of excess water from Chembarambakkam reservoir last week.

Referring to reports in a section of the media, DMK and CPI(M) alleged that the sudden discharge of 35,000 cusecs of water from the reservoir, coupled with heavy downpour, had made matters worse for the city.

DMK Treasurer M K Stalin, citing a news report, said that there were adequate warnings about heavy rainfall but that the higher bureaucracy could not apprise Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa of the situation.

There was a delay in taking decisions "and the situation becoming worse is due to suddenly releasing of 35,000 cusecs of water" from Chembarambakkam reservoir, he said in a statement.

"Therefore, I insist that an enquiry commission should be constituted immediately to find out the facts," he said.

CPI(M) state Secretary G Ramakrishnan blamed 'official apathy' for the disaster and alleged that red-tapism over discharge of water had resulted in such a damage.

He demanded that an inquiry commission under a sitting High Court Judge be formed with the members, including water management experts, to probe lapses and fix responsibility.

The government should come out with measures to prevent recurrence of such a deluge, he said.

PMK founder S Ramadoss said the problems arising out of the post-rains scenario cannot be solved by writing letters to the Prime Minister and that there was a need to exert "political pressure" on the Centre to get results.

An all-party meeting should be convened to discuss the matter after which Jayalalithaa should lead a delegation of members from all political parties to meet the Prime Minister to take up the issue, he urged.

BJP state President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan said that the government should come out with a detailed water management for the future.