Chennai, Dec 06 (The Street Press India) – Chennai is facing a tough time as continuous heavy rain over the past three days has led to widespread flooding in many areas. The flat terrain of Greater Chennai is posing challenges. Despite the rain easing up on Tuesday morning, many parts of the city remain submerged. Thankfully, rescue teams are working hard to move people to safety from the waterlogged areas. The situation is serious, but efforts are being made to keep it under control.
As of Tuesday evening, the number of casualties from rain-related incidents has reached eight due to the impact of the Michaung severe cyclonic storm in the west-central Bay of Bengal. The storm, approaching closer to Baptala along the south Andhra Pradesh coast, is making landfall. The India Meteorological Department reports windspeeds ranging from 90kmph to 100kmph, with gusts reaching 110kmph.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of Tamil Nadu personally assessed the flood-affected regions and evaluated the ongoing relief and rescue operations. During a briefing in Chennai, he shared that 23 teams, including 575 rescue personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are actively involved in rescue efforts. The severely affected districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Villupuram, are the primary focus of these teams.
Once again, Greater Chennai is grappling with heavy rainfall, especially in major parts of South Chennai like Pallikaranai, Velacherry, Madipakkam, and Tambaram, which have experienced 73cm of rainfall in the past two days. This surpasses the city’s average total rainfall of 60cm during the northeast monsoon season.
Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shivdas Meena, alongside other officials, highlighted varying rainfall levels across the city and neighboring districts. Poonamallee recorded a maximum of 34cm, Avadi had 28cm (both in Tiruvallur district), and Chennai North experienced 24cm in the last 24 hours.
The situation is particularly severe in areas like Tambaram and Avadi, leading to the rescue and relocation of over 8,275 individuals to relief camps.
Addressing the breach of a significant lake at Narayanapuram, the Chief Secretary mentioned that boats have been deployed in the affected areas of South Chennai and neighboring districts to facilitate the safe relocation of people. In the districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, 825 out of 900 petrol/diesel outlets have resumed operations. Additionally, the restoration of mobile services is underway, contingent on the power supply in the respective areas, as informed by Meena.
As electricity supply in Chennai is gradually being restored following the cessation of rain on Tuesday, there is anticipation of more downpour. Chief Minister Stalin mentioned the initiation of extensive dewatering operations in the most severely affected areas, deploying around 1,000 water pumps in Greater Chennai alone. In response to the situation, the state government has declared holidays for colleges and schools on Wednesday.
