As a major precautionary measure ahead of the northeast monsoon, Thoothukudi Corporation has intensified the desilting of all minor and major stormwater drains across the city to ensure free flow of rainwater during the monsoon season.The widening work of Puckle Canal, one of the major stormwater drains of the city, began earlier this year and is progressing at full swing so as to complete the work before the onset monsoon. Alongside this, the Corporation has also taken up the desilting of stormwater drains stretching about 350 km across the city, including 1,202 culverts.The Corporation has also intensified the efforts to identify illegal discharges of sewage and food waste from restaurants directly into these stormwater drains. Such illegal discharges have resulted in stagnation of wastewater and subsequent blocking of the drain. Similar stringent measures are being taken against illegal household connections to stormwater drains in wards, where UGDS works have been completed and are functional.Thoothukudi Corporation Commissioner S. Priyanka said that these precautionary measures were being carried out at full pace as the city is geographically located below the sea level, making it vulnerable to flooding. She added that there are 37 pump rooms and more than 50 motor pumps in the city to drain stagnant water and these facilities were also being inspected and repaired ahead of the monsoon.Ms. Priyanka noted UGDS works had been completed and were functional in 34 wards, while works are under way in six wards and proposals had been sent for 20 wards. She said warnings have been issued against illegal connections to stormwater drains and that the warning was also being reinforced for household connections. Published - August 21, 2026 07:52 pm IST