As colleges reopened for a section of students, there has been a COVID-19 outbreak in one of the city’s premier educational institutions. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras recorded 191 positive cases. The institution had to go under a localised lockdown and carry out extensive testing to prevent the spread.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) collected 6,344 samples from college students across the city for testing.

Six students of Anna University, five students from Valasaravakkam zone, three from Sholinganallur, one each from Alandur and Perungudi have also tested positive for COVID-19.

Rs 400-cr SWD project for preventing floods in south Chennai

In a bid to prevent inundation in low-lying areas in Chennai, the state government has approved a stormwater drain project to be executed by the GCC and the state Public Welfare Department (PWD). The project is estimated to cost Rs 400 crore.

Five perpendicular drain canals are to be built as part of the project. Three of these canals will be built by Greater Chennai Corporation at the stretch from Pallikaranai Marshland and the Radial road connecting the Buckingham canal. The network will be linked from Perumbakkam to Buckingham canal and Nookampalayam to Semmencheri slum tenement. Two drain networks will be constructed by PWD at Tharambur and Navalur.

Besides the stormwater drain project, the civic body is in discussion with experts from IIT Madras to prevent flooding in areas like Baba Nagar in Villivakkam, RK Shanmugam Salai and KK Nagar, etc.