Heavy rains lashed Chennai on Wednesday and several areas got inundated in Tamil Nadu capital. The meteorological department has predicted rains in various parts of the city today as well.
The Regional Meteorological Centre of IMD has predicted rains for three hours, till 1pm today as well. As per the forecast, the agency has predicted moderate thunderstorm and lightning with moderate rain in areas like Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram, Tiruvanamalai, Ranipet, Vellore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Pudukottai, Aryalur, Perambalur, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram. The agency has predicted waterlogging in some areas.
IMD has issued an orange alert for Chennai. At 8am on Thursday, 6,000 cusecs of water was released from Chembarambakkam reservoir and the Greater Chennai Corporation has advised the public residing along the banks to stay safe. The Corporation has also issued toll-free helpline number 1913 for flood assistance. Holiday has been declared for schools in Chennai on Thursday.
Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekar Babu and Chennai Mayor Priya Rajan and other senior officials visited affected areas on Thursday,
Morning officegoers found it difficult to wade through stagnant water in places such as Koyambedu and Mambalam here. Disaster response teams were on standby even as more rain has been forecast.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin directed ministers, legislators and representatives of local bodies to provide all necessary support to the people in rain-affected areas.
A Meteorological department official said Chennai and nearby regions in northern coastal Tamil Nadu experienced heavy rainfall on Wednesday, which was in the range of 5 cm-6 cm and even above. Rainfall was very heavy in some areas.
Besides heavy traffic congestion, the intermittent heavy rains led to inundation in several parts of the city and neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengelpet. Vehicular movement was affected in several areas including Sholinganallur in the IT corridor, besides many arterial roads.
Railway sources said 'there is delay in operation' in suburban services in view of water logging over railway tracks in the Ambattur-Avadi-Arakkaonam sections.
In both the arrival and departure of flights, some delay was experienced due to showers, airport sources said. All arrangements are in place to prevent inundation of runways, they added.
The low-pressure system is over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea. The system is likely to concentrate into a depression on November 30 and later into a cyclonic storm.
Under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over Sri Lanka and the low-pressure system, rainfall is likely at many places in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry up to December 3. Civic authorities used heavy-duty motors to bale out water from the subways and key intersections.
-with agency inputs.
