Some Chennai Hotels Cancel New Year Bash, Others Likely to Follow

347 people have died as a direct consequence of the unprecedented rainfall in Chennai & adjoining districts: Govt

Outside an IT park in Vadapalani, Chennai. (Photo: Jim Frazer Henry)  

With the five-star hotel, Le Royal Meridien, announcing the cancellation of their New Year’s Eve celebrations earlier this week, other premium hotels in Chennai may follow suit.

Elvis Taylor, Restaurant & Beverage Manager, Taj Coromandel said, “We are not going to have a new year bash this time because of the Chennai floods,” terming it as a “sensitive” decision on the part of the management.

A few other top hotels in the city declined to comment about their decision.

According to government figures, 347 people have died as a direct consequence of the unprecedented rainfall which hit Chennai and adjoining districts from October 1.

However, there have been media reports which suggest that the number could be well beyond 500.

Chennai and adjoining regions – which earlier received two weeks of continuous rainfall during the second half of November – was hit by a second series of torrential rain from the beginning of this month, leading to the Tamil Nadu government declaring the city to be a disaster zone.

Read more about Chennai floods here.