The rhythmic throb of engines and the diesel fumes warn you of some massive operation at Chennai’s DLF IT SEZ. But only when you are near the arched-entrance do you realise the enormity of the task: pumping water out of a three-level basement parking, stretching 22 acres and 12 metres deep.

The operation, which started on Saturday with a dozen pumps, is now running 24x7 with some 50 pumps. Pipelines snake across the grounds emptying the water into a channel that leads to the Adyar River.

Basement 1 is clear and a few cars can be seen standing in the slush-covered floor. Water is brimming up to the ceiling of Basement 2.

The 45-acre SEZ, one of the largest in Chennai, was inundated last week when the Adyar overflowed its banks after water from a reservoir was released following unprecedented rains.

While DLF could cope with the rain and keep the basement clear of water, it could not manage the water from the river.

“We coped with the record rains between November 30 and December 1.

“But on December 3 afternoon there was no rain but the river overflowed, and the flooding started,” said a DLF official.

Over 60,000 staff working in 50 information technology companies that have rented space at the 5-million-square-feet SEZ had to be moved out.

“As we were able to warn staff in time, there were no casualties,” said an official handling recovery work.

“We also managed to move out a few hundred cars and two-wheelers.” But several hundred more cars and two-wheelers are still under water, in Basements 2 and 3.

Work apace

With work apace, the official is confident that DLF will get at least half the IT space back into operation by the middle of next week, and the entire facility a week later.

Meenakshi Sundaram, whose Ford is stuck in the basement, says the car has been under water since Thursday.

“The insurance company says the surveyor has to take pictures of the car on the spot. I am waiting,” he says.

He and others like him are calling for tow trucks, vans, friends… anything, anybody who can help with towing.

And with DLF and other similar office-space infrastructure out of bounds, real estate agents say there is a scramble for IT and office space in the city.

Most companies have managed to accommodate their employees in other campuses but additional space is at a premium, they say.

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