A clogged drainage channel that prevents water flow in Erode in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: GOVARTHAN M.
Residents in several parts of the city have urged the Erode Corporation to desilt and clear drainage channels choked with plastic waste and other garbage ahead of the northeast monsoon.They said several drainage channels in residential areas were clogged with plastic covers, bottles and other non-biodegradable waste, obstructing the free flow of rainwater. With the monsoon expected to bring spells of heavy rain, residents said the clogged channels could lead to waterlogging on roads and in low-lying residential areas.Residents said the problem had persisted despite periodic cleaning of the channels. In several places, plastic waste and silt had accumulated after being washed into the channels during previous spells of rain. They urged the civic body to undertake a comprehensive desilting exercise and remove the accumulated waste before the onset of the monsoon.A resident of the Stony Bridge area on E.V.N. Road pointed to bushes and water weeds that had covered large stretches of the Perumpallam Canal. She said the canal carried increased flows during the rainy season and that this could result in inundation of houses in the area.Residents also sought regular removal of garbage from vulnerable stretches and suitable measures to prevent plastic waste from entering drainage channels. They urged the Corporation to identify flood-prone areas and inspect the drainage network to ensure that rainwater could flow without obstruction. They said timely maintenance and desilting of the drainage channels would help prevent waterlogging and minimise inconvenience to residents during the monsoon. Published - September 10, 2026 06:54 pm IST
