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Vehicular traffic thrown out of gear

S. Vijay Kumar

Trees uprooted in many areas, causing disruption

— Photo: M.Vedhan

Call of duty: Policemen regulated traffic at many junctions during the heavy downpour on Saturday. A scene on Anna Salai.

CHENNAI: Traffic was diverted in many parts of the city after subways, junctions and low-lying areas were inundated in the heavy rain that lashed Chennai and its suburbs since Friday night.

According to police sources, many huge trees were uprooted, causing obstruction to traffic in some areas, including on Harrington Road in Chetpet, Gopalapuram and Triplicane. Muthu (32), who was walking along, was injured when a tree fell on him on Harrington Road. The victim was rushed to a private hospital, where his condition was said to be stable.

On Padmavathi Street in Gopalapuram, a car was damaged when a big tree branch fell on it.

The Ganesapuram subway was almost submerged, forcing the traffic police to divert vehicles through other road routes.

Traffic regulation

Braving the downpour, the police were on the roads regulating traffic.

“We focussed more on roads that were prone to waterlogging. When stagnation of rainwater was seen on one side of the road, traffic police stood at the centre and directed heavy vehicles to ply through the water so that smaller vehicles could go on the other side. We also tied up with the Chennai Corporation and Metrowater authorities to pump out water in the Vyasarpadi, Koyambedu, Egmore [Udupi Home junction] and Nesapakkam areas,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. Shakeel Akther said.

According to Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran, a special team was asked to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

“We have set in motion a Standard Operating Procedure. We have ensured free movement of vehicles, though there was some slowdown in the northern parts of the city because of the closure of subways. We are keeping a contingent of Home Guards ready for emergency services,” he said.

Director-General of Police and Director, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, R. Natraj, reviewed the situation with senior officials on Saturday.

“We have put the fire service personnel on alert… rescue boats are in place. There has not been any major incident due to rain in the State,” he said.

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