A waterlogged stretch on Thiru. Vi. Ka. Road following heavy rain in Chennai
| Photo Credit: Johan Sathyadas J

Chennai:

Rains lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, and the India Meteorological Department said the depression over Bay of Bengal has formed into a deep depression and it is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on November 27.

Chief Minister M K Stalin chaired a high-level meeting here at the Secretariat to review the precautionary measures and rushed NDRF and State teams to Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Cuddalore districts.

Chennai and nearby districts of Chengelpet, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur, the northern coastal city of Cuddalore and Cauvery delta areas, including Nagapattinam were among the places that received rainfall, which was mild to moderate in many areas and heavy in a few places.

Due to the rains, heavy traffic congestion was witnessed here in many areas including the arterial OMR Road and traffic flow was affected in several areas as roads came under sheets of water. Also, in Chennai, there was delay in the landing of 7 flights.

State-run Aavin said it has taken all steps to ensure unhindered milk supply to the people and announced that eight of its parlours here will be open 24 x 7.

Stalin, through video conferencing, reviewed the action plan to tackle the situation. Very heavy rainfall forecast covers the districts of Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Cuddalore. District collectors and IAS officials, tasked with monitoring and coordinating rain-related tasks took part in the meeting.

Collectors apprised the chief minister that adequate number of relief camps and medical teams were on standby and all other necessary arrangements were in place too. Stalin told officials that relief centres must be ‘ready with all the amenities’ and people should be evacuated in advance from low lying areas.

An official release here said that two NDRF teams have been dispatched to Thanjavur district. For each of the districts of Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Cuddalore, two teams —one from NDRF and the other from the State– have been dispatched.

Also in such districts, first-responders and volunteers are also ready for deployment. “Already, fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea and a majority of boats have returned to shore.” As regards fishermen who have gone for deep sea fishing, they have been informed to move to the nearest harbours.

The state and district level emergency operation centres are functioning 24 x 7.

Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, KKSSR Ramachandran, Chief Secretary N Muruganandam and top state officials participated in the meeting chaired by the chief minister.

According to the IMD, the depression over Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression and it is about 770 km south-southeast of Chennai and 570 km south-southeast of Nagapattinam.

In its update, the IMD said on ‘X’: “It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm on 27th November. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast skirting Sri Lanka coast during subsequent 2 days.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

Heavy rain continued in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, bringing residential neighborhoods and roads under knee-deep water and leading to traffic congestion besides affecting public transport services. Visuals from the city show incessant rainfall leading to waterlogging in several parts of the city, including the Madley Subway and the Mambalam area.

As parts of the state reel under the heavy downpours, efforts to pump out the water are underway in the city including the Choolaimedu area.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Fresh spell of light rain lashes parts of Chennai city. Visuals from Koyambedu area pic.twitter.com/KIUmbFsnYw

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024

The IMD has issued a red alert for parts of the state with warnings for “very heavy rainfall” on October 17 and 18.

Earlier on Tuesday, streets and roads were flooded with muddy water following heavy rainfall, and garbage was found floating from the Pattalam area of the city.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday took stock of the rain situation in the state capital amid incessant downpours.

Mr Stalin inspected and monitored the rain-affected area in Chennai. While doing so he could also be seen sharing a cup of hot tea with rescue and relief workers.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also inspected the Integrated Control and Command Centre, in Chennai and informed about the situation.

Speaking about the rain situation, Udhayanidhi Stalin informed on Tuesday, “Around 5 cm average rainfall has been recorded in Chennai in the last 24 hours. Things are very much under control. The highest rainfall has been recorded in Sholinganallur and Teynampet area, around 6 cm. No power cuts were encountered in any area in Chennai.”

“Tree falling was reported in around 8 areas and the team is already on duty to clear it. All the trees will be cleared in approximately one to one and a half hours after the rain has stopped. 26 teams from NDRF and SDRF have been readily positioned in Chennai and all the coastal areas. Out of 22 subways in Chennai, two subways have been flooded and the traffic has been closed,” informed the Deputy Chief Minister.

“The pumping motors are ready and draining. Water stagnation has been reported in 300 locations and the pumping work is in progress. Tamil Nadu special health camp for the rainy season was started in 1000 locations all over the state and around 100 health camps have been started in Chennai alone by the concerned department,” he added.

In light of the heavy rain forecast, the Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts on Tuesday.

Earlier, Chief Minister MK Stalin held a review meeting with senior officials and gave necessary instructions following the heavy rainfall. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N Muruganandam held a meeting with concerned officials and directed them to make necessary arrangements.

Anticipating the rainfall in the region, residents living around Velachery parked their cars on the Velachery flyover in an attempt to prevent any damage to their vehicles.

An advisory to fishermen was released, telling them not to venture into the seas.

The Chief Minister also instructed the authorities to issue an advisory to allow employees of IT companies in these districts to work from home from October 15 to 18, according to an official release.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)