First floods, now oil spill: December has begun on a dreadful note for Chennai

Tamil Nadu capital Chennai is struggling to recover from Cyclone Michaung’s devastating aftermath. The city’s low-lying areas are now completely covered in water due to torrential rainfall, underscoring the urgent need for better flood prevention strategies. The oil spill in the floodwaters in Ennore neighbourhood is making matters worse. The leak is not only affecting humans, but the vast aquatic ecosystem as well. The police are trying to trace the origin of the oil leak. Let’s take a look. Oil spill amid Chennai floods A number of videos appeared on social media show  the oil, that look like a dark stain, flowing down the surface of a canal and into a nearby river. Notably, the severe rains brought on by Cyclone Michaung flooded Chennai on the same day that crude oil spilled into the Buckingham Canal, an important waterway in the region.

This video, shared by members @TVMIoffl, clearly indicates the extent of the oil spill in #Ernavoor #Ennore. The disproportionate presence of #oilrefineries and #thermalpower plants in the northern part of Chennai is a stark example of ENV injustice against the local communities. pic.twitter.com/bGNINU8zkN

— Scientist Rebellion India (@SciRebIND) December 7, 2023

According to NDTV, the flooding caused the crude oil and toxic water to enter people’s homes. Due to toxic fumes of the oil spill into the Kosasthalaiyar River, some locals are reportedly experiencing respiratory problems, skin rashes and headaches, as per Times Now. With thousands of fish already dead, the enormous aquatic ecology has also been impacted, India Today reported. This has caused concern among the fisherfolk about their livelihood. By Thursday, the situation improved a little and the fishery department had been informed about the oil spill. The responsibility of the leak Numerous petrochemical and oil refineries are located in Ennore. Locals alleged that the oil from Chennai Petrochemicals Limited (CPCL) pipelines mixed with the flooded water. However, CPCL has strongly denied any leakage at its refinery at Manali, while also adding, “We are investigating.” “Due to Cyclone Michaung incessant rain caused unprecedented flooding inside the refinery. Other industries of Manali were also badly affected. Despite the flood situation in and around the refinery, the CPCL team rose to the occasion and ensured uninterrupted and safe operation of the refinery,” it said in a statement. The police are also working on tracing the origin of the oil spill in the area, as per NDTV. National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) Chennai bench has taken suo motu cognizance of the massive oil spill in Chennai, according to News9. Aftermath of Cyclone Michaung The flooding comes days after Cyclone Michuang lashed Chennai and the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh with an incredible amount of rain. The floods brought back memories of the extensive damage caused by floods eight years ago which killed around 290 people. [caption id=“attachment_13480722” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A woman retrieves her belongings at Kamatchi Amman Nagar area inundated with floodwater after heavy rainfall in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, in Chennai. PTI[/caption] According to Reuters, an estimated 13 people, most of them in the manufacturing hub of Tamil Nadu, have died in the flooding that was triggered by the torrential rains that preceded the cyclone, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh state on Tuesday afternoon. Life has come to a standstill with floodwaters clinging to the streets, leaving people inside their homes with no electricity, food and connectivity. According to Indian Express, several residents complained that no member of the legislative assembly (MLA) or local councillors visited them to offer any help. While some others questioned the ability of the city’s infrastructure to handle extreme weather. Tamil Nadu chief secretary Shiv Das Meena on Thursday said that there were 1,442 trees that fell in Chennai, out of which 243 trees are still left to be cleared and it will be done tonight, as per ANI. Rescue and relief operation underway Rescuers used inflatable rafts and ropes to pluck people out of their homes in Chennai, a city of more than 6 million people and a major automobile and technology manufacturing hub. Local media showed images of rescue workers wading through waist-deep water and of submerged vehicles. Air force helicopters also dropped food rations to people stranded in flooded homes. “There are pockets of low lying areas,” said Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Dr. J. Radhakrishnan. “We to hope clear it soon.” According to ANI, the chief secretary informed that 9,000 officials from other districts are deployed for the relief work. “Work on water stagnation at 343 places is underway. Food packets are being distributed in the flood-affected areas. Other district workers like medical staff, fire service staff, EN staff, etc., have been called to work in Chennai for restoration. A total of 9,000 officials from other districts are also deployed for the relief work in Chennai,” Meena said. “A huge improvement has been found from today morning. Till tomorrow evening 100 per cent power supply will be given,” he added. While the rescue efforts are on, the Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard are engaged in dropping food and medical supplies from helicopters. With the approval of the first urban flood mitigation project in Chennai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated Rs 561.29 crore for operations related to “Integrated Urban Flood Management” inside the Chennai Basin project. The second tranche of the relief fund for Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who added on X that the Centre has sanctioned release of Rs 450 crore from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and approved a Rs. 561 crore flood mitigation project for Chennai. Union Minister Rajnath Singh also recently conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected regions in Tamil Nadu and spoke with Chief Minister MK Stalin to assess the damage caused due to the rare cyclone.