QChennai: Half-Full Reservoirs Cause Alarm; Guv Comes Under Fire

Here’s your roundup of news from Chennai.

1. Governor, State Government Come Under Fire

Opposition leaders on Wednesday came out strongly against Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit for holding a meeting with officials and also the state government for meekly endorsing his action. DMK working president and Leader of the Opposition, MK Stalin, said the Governor conducting a review meeting with officials instead of asking the (AIADMK) government to prove its majority in the Assembly would in no way help Centre-State relations or in streamlining the administration.

In a statement, he said the Governor’s action was part of the BJP’s plan to systematically erode the State’s rights. The fact that the Governor decided to continue with his review at Tirupur on Wednesday was a worrying sign, he said. Tamil Nadu has been raising its voice for State autonomy for over 50 years, Stalin said, condemning the Centre and the Governor for taking over authority “unconstitutionally” from the government elected by the people.

(Source: The Hindu)

2. Reservoirs Are Only Half Full, but Officials Hope for the Best

Chennai and its neighbouring districts have so far had a good northeast monsoon and received surplus rainfall. But the four reservoirs, which are the prime sources of the city’s drinking water needs, continue to remain more than half empty. The reservoirs in Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam have been receiving only minimal inflow, especially since last week. Though steady, this inflow has not been enough to push up the water level.

On Wednesday, the combined storage of the waterbodies stood at 4,415 million cubic feet, which is only 40 percent of their total capacity. “If the total storage in the four reservoirs touches 8,000 mcft, we consider it comfortable enough to maintain daily water supply for a year. Water from the Veeranam tank and Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh would augment the water supply,” the Metrowater official said.

(Source: The Hindu)

Also Read: Will Chennai’s Rain-Induced Woes Ever End?

3. Indhuja's Sister Recalls Day of Horror and Agony

Nivedha, the younger sister of Indhuja who was burnt alive on Monday by a former classmate, told the police that the man who has since been arrested for the crime, Akash, had poured some inflammable fluid on her sister from a can that he had brought along with him, and set her on fire before fleeing.

The body of Indhuja was handed over to her father Shanmugam and relatives after the completion of the post-mortem in Government Hospital, Chrompet. A relative of the family told, “It was portrayed in some sections of the media as if the deceased and the accused were in love. It is totally wrong. Our girl was never in love with him and never intended to marry him. They were merely classmates.” Friends and relatives of Indhuja staged a demonstration in front of Adambakkam police station on Wednesday, asking for stringent punishment for the accused.

(Source: The Hindu)

Also Read: Chennai Woman Dies After Stalker Sets Her, Family on Fire

4. Legal Action Likely for Dumping Garbage in Waterways

Those who dump garbage in the city’s waterways are likely to face action with the police planning to register FIRs against such residents. Every year, clearing water hyacinth and accumulated garbage on the water courses is an onerous task for the teams of the Water Resources Department, particularly during the northeast monsoon.

To offset the delay, the department has been engaging more machinery to clean up various stretches simultaneously. In a bid to ensure the free flow of water, the city police have joined hands with WRD and the Chennai Corporation. “Based on instructions from the city police Commissioner AK Viswanathan, we are coordinating with other departments in clearing garbage from the water channels running through the city,” said a senior police officer.

(Source: The Hindu)

5. NGT Clears Kerala's Proposal on Works at Periyar Tiger Reserve

The Southern Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday gave the go-ahead to Kerala’s proposal to undertake development works in Periyar Tiger Reserve, pointing out that National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had already approved the works. Tamil Nadu has been opposing the project, which also includes construction of a parking lot in the area abutting Mullaperiyar dam, claiming that the construction falls within its leased area and the water spread area of the dam, and hence will affect the ecology of the region.

The bench, comprising Justice MS Nambiar and expert member PS Rao, in its order held that the proposed construction activity in the area for tourism purposes was as per Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) and in conformity with National Wildlife Action Plan.

(Source: The Hindu)

6. Actor's Son Held for Harassing Medical Student

The 23-year-old son of actor Bhuvaneshwari was arrested on Tuesday by the Tirumangalam police on charges of harassing a third-year MBBS student and allegedly threatening to pour kerosene on her if she did not marry him. He had warned that she would meet the same fate of Swathi, who was murdered in the Nungambakkam railway station in 2016.

According to Tirumangalam police inspector Ravi, Midhun Srinivasan, 23, the son of actor Bhuvaneshwari, is pursuing his bachelors degree at a private college in the city and resides at Tirumalai Nagar, Angel Street , Valsaravakkam. He was arrested after a complaint by a third-year MBBS student who claimed that he had been stalking her on social media and also harassing her in person.

(Source: The Hindu)

Also Read: Every Breath You Take: Stalking and Stalkers, Explained

7. Gourmet Delight May Find Fame as State Fish of TN

Ayirai meen (loach) may soon be officially recognised as the State fish of Tamil Nadu. “We are discussing the formalities with the Director of Fisheries and other higher officials. Kerala has already declared Karimeen as the State fish and murrel has gained that status in Telangana,” Dr S Felix, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (TNFU), said.

He added that the Centre has asked every state to identify its own official fish species. TNFU has succeeded in raising the fish through pond culture, and sees potential in the technique. Priced between RS 1,200 and Rs 1,500 per kg in the market, Ayirai(Lepidocephalichthys thermalis) is available in lakes, ponds and rivers. The fish was first raised successfully in a pond by Pughalendhi, a fish-farmer from Vaduvur in Thanjavur district.

(Source: The Hindu)