Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and sultry for the day. Stay hydrated!
🧐 Did you know? The highest recorded temperature for Chennai in recent history was in 2003, when the Met Office measured a maximum of 45ºC.
🌡️ Heat advisory
The met office has issued a heat warning for the city as the temperatures are likely to increase.
What’s it about? The maximum temperature recorded in Chennai on Sunday was 40.7 degree Celsius, making it the hottest day of the year yet. Per the Regional Meteorological Centre, the maximum daytime temperatures at the Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam weather stations were 40.7 and 40.6 degree Celsius, respectively.
- Due to the humid air and high temperatures, a heat warning was issued. The maximum temperature could increase by 2-3 degree Celsius in the coming week.
- Officials said there might not be a heat wave. This occurs when the temperature is 4.5-6.5 degree Celsius above normal for at least two consecutive days.
Influence: The rise in temperatures is attributed to the dry westerlies triggered by Cyclone Mocha. The storm crossed north Myanmar and southeast Bangladesh with wind speeds of 180-190 kmph.
🕳️ Continuance of manual scavenging
The practice continues in MGR Nagar due to an inadequate sewage system.
What’s happening? 3,000 families in Choolaipallam in MGR Nagar have no option but to hire manual scavengers to clear blockages in sewer lines since there’s no proper sewage system in place. Officials said tenders had been floated, and residents should have a proper sewer system by next February.
- Most residents in the locality are daily wage labourers and live on land classified as ‘poramboke’. Because of this, residents say the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) hasn’t provided them with a proper sewage system.
- The waste generated is sometimes sent directly into the Adyar River, polluting it. Due to blocked sewer lines, they had no option but to hire workers to clean it manually with no safety measures.
What the law says: Manual Scavenging is banned under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2103. Those who employ manual scavengers can face a 10-year jail sentence.
🖧 Deep tech capabilities
Atsuya Technologies is using technology to help companies become sustainable.
What’s it about? Chennai-based Atsuya Technologies began in 2017 as a company aiming to use technology to reduce food wastage. That evolved into a larger goal by offering a full range of digital hardware and software services besides supply chain management. Among its clientele are Zomato, Indian Oil, Chennai Corporation, and Zepto.
- The company promises 8-15% savings on monthly operational costs through energy conservation for the warehouses it maintains. It has resulted in a reduction of 2,500 tonnes of emissions.
- The company grew during the pandemic and assisted the Chennai Corporation in its Covid management through its management platform. It helped the civic body’s task force unify into a single platform to help contain cases.
Future plans: The company has raised external funds worth $1.5 million. It aims to triple its workforce to 360 from the current 120. The company is working on a bigger project to track and trace LPG cylinders. Its next focus areas will be oil & gas and real estate.
🎾 Squash World Cup
Chennai will play host to the Squash World Cup next month.
What’s it about? The Squash World Cup is returning to Chennai after a 12-year gap. The mixed team tournament will be played from June 13 to 17. The countries participating will be Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, and India.
- Each team will include two men and women each, with each match played for seven points instead of the usual eleven. The tournament will have two round-robin pools followed by a knockout stage.
- The Indian contingent will have Saurav Ghosal, Abhay Singh, Joshna Chinappa, and Tanvi Khanna.
Other details: The tournament will take place at Express Avenue Mall and the Indian Squash Academy and will be sponsored by the Tamil Nadu government.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Would you consider Chennai a safe place for women?
- Yes, I consider Chennai a safe place for women.
- No, I wouldn’t consider Chennai a safe place for women.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What was your favourite extracurricular activity in school?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Neelankarai and Thiruvottiyur beaches will be redeveloped and beautified.
- Evicted residents from encroachments of river banks have been given inadequate rehabilitation.
- The foot-over-bridge to the Nungambakkam station is overrun by hawkers.
- Almost 2,000 encroachments across all 15 zones of the Corporation have been removed.
- Rajasthan Youth Association aims to reach 100 colleges in Chennai to provide free textbooks.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been to a Chennai Corporation office: 11.1%
- I haven’t been to a Chennai Corporation office: 88.9% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your favourite bar/nightclub in the city?
Kalaiarasi: “Pasha at T Nagar”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!