Tamil Nadu Assembly: Water Resources Department to build 27 check dams in State to conserve floodwater

Artificial barriers:The Adyar in Chennai is among the sites in 19 districts where flood protection walls will be constructed as part of disaster management measures. | Photo Credit: Johan Sathyadas J. The Water Resources Department (WRD) will construct 27 check dams across 13 districts to conserve floodwater and harness groundwater at a cost of ₹206.75 crore, Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N. Anand announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).Replying to the discussion on the Demands for Grants for the WRD, Mr. Anand said one such check dam would be built across Amaravati river near Melapalayam village in Karur.Similarly, two bed dams would be constructed in districts such as Madurai at a cost of ₹31.50 crore to arrest riverbed erosion and facilit