Chennai: Chennai recorded the highest rainfall since 2015 as the city was lashed with incessant showers overnight. The incessant rains from Saturday night 8.30 p.m. till Sunday 5 a.m. left the city inundated and water entered homes in several low-lying areas.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday declared a two-day holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts on Monday and Tuesday.
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Addressing media persons after visiting Padi, Purasawalkam and Kolathur areas in Chennai, Stalin said that men and machinery were kept ready for any emergency operations following heavy rains.
Stalin said that four teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Madurai and Cuddalore districts for any emergency service. He also said that 50,000 food packets have been distributed in 44 rehabilitation centres since Sunday morning.
The Chief Minister called upon the people to hold their travel plans as the weathermen have predicted heavy rains for the next three days. He said that officials have been put on high alert and all the state government departments are working in coordination with each other.
The Public Works Department opened the shutters of the Chembarambakkam reservoir in Chennai, and water is being released at the rate of 500 cusecs. The shutters have to be lifted as the water level touched 21 feet against its maximum height of 24 feet. Officials said that the catchment area of Chembarambakkam has received 52 mm rainfall and the reservoir is receiving water at the level of 600 cusecs.
The regional centre of the India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rains in Chennai and other parts of the state in the next few days.
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"Waterlogging has taken place, and in several houses in DT colony area, water has entered the homes. We are expecting the authorities to break the bund so that water is drained into Korattur lake," said Anpumani, a local trader at Ambattur.
Flood alert is issued to those living in the low-lying areas of Sirukalathur, Kavanur, Kundrathur, Thiruvmudivakkam, Vazhuthigaimedu, Thiruneermalai, Adyar, and parts of Ambattur, Ashok Pillar areas also.
Heavy rain led to water flooding in many parts including Purasaiwalkam, Anna Nagar, Kodambakkam, and Vayasarpadi subway in Chennai.
Fire and Rescue department, in association with the Public Works Department staff, has already deployed several teams in all the rain-affected areas to drain out water.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological department said on Sunday that a cyclonic circulation lies over north coastal Tamil Nadu, southeast of Bay of Bengal and a low pressure area is likely to form by November 9 and has forecast widespread rainfall for at least the next three days in the state.
Under its influence, rainfall is likely in northern regions like Chennai, Villupuram, Cuddalore and in delta areas of Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts besides neighbouring Puducherry and Kariakkal on Monday.
Showers in such regions may be heavy and at isolated places, very heavy and there could be thunderstorm activity as well. Other regions, including southern Madurai, are also expected to receive rainfall, an official bulletin here said.
On November 9, thunderstorm with heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Tuticorin districts. The following day, thunderstorm with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy showers could occur in districts of north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
"A cyclonic circulation lies over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean extending up to 4.5 Km above mean sea level. Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood around November 9. It is likely to become more marked and move towards north Tamil Nadu coast during the subsequent 48 hrs," the bulletin said.
IANS/ PTI
