Southern suburbs affected by the devastating floods in 2015 may get relief this year. Work to build a channel to divert surplus water from Orathur tank to Manimangalam tank may begin in January.
However, the Water Resources Department awaits funding to form a reservoir in Orathur near Padappai and augment sources for city’s water supply.
The proposed diversion channel would link the surplus water from Orathur to Manimangalam tank through Ammanambakkam and Padappai tanks. Officials of the Water Resources Department said the project is expected to mitigate floods in areas such as Varadharajapuram, Mudichur and Perungulathur. The surplus water from Orathur lake would drain into Adyar river.