Schools in Chennai and three other districts have been directed to stay closed for the next two days after heavy rain pounded several parts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday and Sunday.
Chennai woke up to waterlogging on Sunday, 7 November, after witnessing heavy rains overnight.
According to The Indian Express, as of 7:30 am, Chennai recorded 207 mm of rainfall. Nungambakkam reported 145 mm of rainfall, Villivakkam 162 mm and Puzhal 111 mm.
Due to incessant rains and waterlogging on the tracks, EMU train services between Chennai Beach and Egmore have been temporarily suspended. Various trains to Chennai Central and Egmore have been delayed.
Many areas in Chennai including Koratur, Perambur, Anna Salai, T Nagar, Guindy, Adyar, Perungudi, OMR also reported waterlogging.
Tamil Nadu CM, Other Ministers Take Stock of Situation
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin along with other ministers took stock of the situation and directed state officials to take required measures.
Stalin has asked people who are planning to travel to Chennai to postpone their travel by two to three days, given the current situation.
"The entire state administration has been stepped up in full force to deal with. I visited the areas affected by the heavy rains in Chennai. Complaints can be made by contacting the toll free number 1070", Stalin wrote on a tweet.
Meanwhile, PM Modi on Sunday evening tweeted to say that he had spoken to CM Stalin and assured him of all support from the Centre.
CM Stalin has declared the next two days as holidays for educational institutions in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet districts.
Four teams of NDRF have been deployed to assist in rescue operations in case of emergency. One team each in Chengalpet and Thiruvallur districts and two teams at Madurai are stationed for rescue operations. Thirteen teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also been deployed in the state.
Heaviest Rainfall Since 2015, More Expected
In a tweet, Tamil Nadu Weatherman Pradeep John said that this was the heaviest rainfall recorded in the city since December 2015.
“Official readings are out, 226 mm in Mylapore, 205 mm in Ambattur, Sivappu Sambahavam in Chennai. Meanwhile it is also the highest 24 rainfall in Nungambakkam since 2015 and it also crossed 200 mm now at 207 mm,” his tweet read.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rains in Chennai, Puducherry and Karaikal in the coming days.
Chennai and the suburbs have received rainfall between 10 cm and 23 cm, the IMD said while the Kamarajar Salai point (DGP Office on the Marina beachfront) near the Tamil Nadu Secretariat recorded the highest of 23 cm rains and suburban Ennore in north Chennai saw 10 cm rainfall.
“A cyclonic circulation lies over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial Indian ocean off Sumatra Coast and extends upto 3.1 km above mean sea level. Under its influence a low pressure area is likely to form over Southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood around 9th November,” IMD said.
The Regional Meteorological Department said, “Thunderstorm with heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipettai, Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nilgiris, Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruchirappalli districts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry."
Chennai Residents Take to Twitter
Photos shared by residents show roads and vehicles submerged in rain water.
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