Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Sri Lanka and Exposes Urban Infrastructure Gaps in Chennai
Cyclone Ditwah, after causing significant fatalities in Sri Lanka, brought intense rainfall to Chennai and Andhra Pradesh. Despite the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) spending ₹5,200 crore on storm water drains since 2015, the city faced widespread waterlogging and flooding. The article criticizes the lack of transparency regarding the Thiruppugazh Committee report and the absence of a consolidated implementation plan. It highlights that while integrated projects handle intense bursts, they struggle with prolonged heavy rain. The need for shared flood maps, proper zoning, and basin-wide coordination is emphasized to prevent recurring urban disasters in flat coastal cities.
Key Points
- Cyclone Ditwah caused at least 474 deaths in Sri Lanka before moving towards the Indian coast as a deep depression.
- Chennai's storm water drain network, though expanded, remains vulnerable to prolonged high-intensity rainfall due to incomplete links.
- The Thiruppugazh Committee was appointed after the 2021 floods to provide basin-wise recommendations for flood mitigation.
- Urban flooding in Chennai is exacerbated by encroachment and poor desilting of the Kosasthalaiyar river and other local basins.
Exam Facts
- Thiruppugazh Committee was appointed after the 2021 Chennai floods.
- Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) spent ₹5,200 crore over four years on drainage infrastructure.
- Cyclone Ditwah occurred in November-December 2025.
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