On Tuesday, heavy rains pounded Chennai and several areas of Tamil Nadu, causing knee-deep water in residential neighborhoods and roads. The downpour led to significant traffic jams and disruptions in public transport services.
IMD Issues Red Alert for Tamil Nadu
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu, forecasting isolated extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. In addition, the IMD warned of very heavy rainfall on October 17 and 18.
Disruptions in Transport Services
Chennai, which has been receiving continuous rain since Monday night, saw interruptions in bus services across multiple areas. Southern Railway announced the cancellation of four trains due to waterlogging near Basin Bridge and Vyasarpadi stations. Meanwhile, eight domestic flights were cancelled as a large number of passengers failed to report for their flights.
State Declares Holiday, Advises Work From Home
In light of the heavy rain forecast, the Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday on October 16 for schools, colleges, and government offices in coastal districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu. Private establishments have been advised to allow employees to work from home until October 18. The public has been urged to check the TN Alert App for updates, and the Chennai Corporation has established a helpline at 1913.
Relief Efforts and Preparations
State Relief Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni revealed that parts of Chennai had received up to 16 cm of rainfall. He assured the public that the government was fully prepared for any emergency, with resources pre-positioned. A total of 26 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed across five coastal districts. Relief centers have been set up, and boats and manpower stationed in vulnerable areas.
In Chennai, 300 relief centers have been established, while 931 more have been set up in nearby districts. Authorities have also arranged for centralized cooking and medical camps. Additionally, 80 pregnant women have been admitted to hospitals across the region for their due deliveries.
Waterlogging and Civic Response
As rains and thunderstorms continued to lash Chennai, several areas, including Pallikaranai and Velachery, were severely affected. The Greater Chennai Corporation responded by pumping out water into storm drains and removing fallen trees. Boats have been stationed in flood-prone areas, and high-capacity motors mounted on tractors have been deployed to clear waterlogged streets.
Why Is Tamil Nadu Receiving Heavy Rainfall?
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal developed into a well-marked low-pressure zone on October 15. This system is expected to evolve into a depression, leading to widespread rainfall. The northeast monsoon has also commenced over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and other southern states.
The RMC has predicted squally weather with wind speeds of 40 to 60 kmph along the north coast of Tamil Nadu, urging fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea.
Government Response and Inspections
Chief Minister MK Stalin, along with other ministers, inspected flood-prone areas and reviewed efforts to drain rainwater. He praised the efforts of civic workers and joined them for tea, reassuring that the government stood in solidarity with frontline workers during this challenging time.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also visited multiple localities, including the Narayanapuram lake near Velachery, where he reviewed desilting work that ensured rainwater drained into channels.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu DGP Shankar Jiwal visited the State Police Flood Control Room to assess disaster preparedness and review equipment with six teams from the SDRF.
As the rains persist, the state remains on high alert, prepared for any emergencies in the coming days.
With inputs from PTI
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
