On a day when Chennai had some respite from the rain, inundation cleared up in a few areas, but people were stranded and in need of help on Tuesday as the stagnant water was yet to be drained. Residents are approaching the next couple of days with dread as heavy rain has been forecast.
The Madras High Court warned the Greater Chennai Corporation that it would take up a suo motu public interest litigation petition on the travails of residents due to waterlogging, if the situation did not improve by Friday. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin warned that action would be initiated against the contractor implementing Smart City. and vowed to set up a commission to probe how funds were utilised.
In the last 24 hours, Chennai recorded 3.2 cm of rain till 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran. The weather office has issued a red alert in Chennai for Wednesday and Thursday as the low-pressure area that had formed on Monday is likely to concentrate as a depression. It may move near north Tamil Nadu by the early morning of November 11.
The government announced a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai on November 10 and 11.
The toll in the rain has risen to five and over 500 huts have been damaged, official sources said.
The number of lines to attend the complaints/grievances from the helpline 1913 is expanded from 5 to 30. Chennaiites can call 1913 for flood related grievances.
Watch | Chennai experiences heaviest rainfall in 5 years
In Pictures | Chennai receives heavy rainfall, waterlogging in some parts of the city
Here are the latest updates:
More districts declare holiday for Schools, colleges on Wednesday
Collector J. Meghanath Reddy has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Virudhunagar district for Wednesday, November 10, following incessant rain.
Authorities in Perambalur, Ariyalur, and Thanjavur districts have also announced a holiday for schools and colleges, while only schools will remain shut in Tiruchi district.
Rains, floods a lesson for government officials: Madras High Court
The prevailing rains and floods in Tamil Nadu is a lesson for government officials vis-a-vis encroachment, the Madras High Court observed on Tuesday.
The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu made the observation while disposing of a writ petition from one T. Tamilarasan, praying for a direction to the Ariyalur district administration to remove the encroachments made by an individual on an extent of 1.03 hectare, which had been classified as Mamanakka Lake (water body) in a village there by considering his representation dated October 12 this year and consequently direct them to restore the lake to its original position at the cost of the encroacher.
"It may not be out of context to record that the on-going rains and the floods in and around Chennai and elsewhere in the state should be a lesson for the government officials to take immediate action against any person attempting to encroach into any waterbody or the path meant for flowing water during the rainy season," the bench said.
-PTI
TN government announces holiday for schools, colleges in nine districts for next two days
The Tamil Nadu government announced a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai districts on November 10 and 11.
The decision comes hours after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rainfall in several parts of the State on November 10 and 11.
ESLC exams for Class 8 private candidates on November 10, 11 and 12 postponed
The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) in Tamil Nadu announced that three papers of Class 8 ESLC exams for private candidates scheduled on November 10, 11 and 12 have been postponed. The Maths, Science and Social Science exams were scheduled for those three days.
Due to the heavy rains this week, the exams scheduled for November 8 and 9 were also postponed. The DGE has said a revised schedule will be released at a later date.
Holiday declared for schools, colleges in several districts for Wednesday
In view of continuing rain, authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Pudukottai districts on Wednesday, November 10.
Chennai Corporation announces Whatsapp numbers for grievances
The Grater Chennai Corporation now accepts flood related grievances and complaints through Whatsapp.
The following numbers can be used to register complaints: 9445477205, 9445025818, 9445025820, and 9445025821.
Porur lake almost full
Weather forecast
Under the influence of the cyclonic circulation over southeast Bay of Bengal & neighbourhood, a low pressure area has formed over the same region. It is very likely to concentrate into a Depression over Southwest & adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal during next 36 hours. It is likely to move west– northwestwards and reach near north Tamil Nadu coast by the early morning of November 11, 2021, the Met Department has said.
Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall is very likely over Kerala, south Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu during next 5 days, it has said.
Chennai Corporation has started widening Mambalam Canal to facilitate flow of water from T. Nagar
Chief Minister M.K.Stalin visits Korattur Lake on Tuesday
Chennai Traffic police announce traffic diversions due to water logging
Though Chennai had respite from incessant rains on Tuesday morning, a few subways and roads continued to be water logged and have been closed for traffic.
Two subways - Vyasarpadi and Madley - and Kakkan Bridge (Moolakothalam to Korukkupet) have been closed for traffic.
Vehicles proceeding towards Valluvar Kottam via Thirumalaipillai Road are disallowed as a portion of the road has caved-in.
Traffic diversions are in place in Ambedkar College Road, Pulianthope high road, 70-Feet Road of Sembium, and Demellows Road.
Chennai on red alert
Chennai has recorded 3.2cm of rainfall in the last 24 hrs, till 8 a.m., Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, KKSSR Ramachandran said on Tuesday. Expecting more rains, a red alert has been issued for Chennai for the next two days, Mr. Ramachandran said.
Five deaths in Tamil Nadu due to rains: Minister
Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, KKSSR Ramachandran on Tuesday said five persons died due to rains in Tamil Nadu. About 538 huts and four houses were damaged due to the incessant rains during the past few days, he said.
"More damage is expected if the rain intensifies," Mr. Ramachandran said.
Madras High Court pulls up Greater Chennai Corporation
The Madras High Court on Tuesday warned Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) that it would take up a suo motu public interest litigation petition regarding the travails faced by residents of Chennai due to rainwater logging if the situation does not improve by Friday or Saturday.
Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu broached the subject during the hearing of a case related to GCC.
"It is such a pity that half the year, we are longing for water and for the rest of the half, we are flooding or dying in water," the Chief Justice lamented. He went on to state: "We are not a backward State. We are the most advanced State on many parameters. This cannot be the state of a leading State in the country."— Mohamed Imranullah
Heavy rainfall expected in South Coastal, Rayalaseema regions
Under the influence of cyclonic circulation over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman sea, the Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra regions (Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts) of Andhra Pradesh are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations for the next three days starting Tuesday.
During the same period, both the regions are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at many places. Also, thunderstorms with lightning will likely occur in isolated locations. In the north coastal region heavy rainfall is likely to occur for two days from Wednesday.
As the coast is likely to witness squally weather with wind speed up to 40-50 kmph fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along and off AP and Yanam coast till November 11, according to AP State Disaster Management Authority.
Coastal TN may have to brace for another intense rainspell
Coastal parts of the State may have to prepare for another intense spell of rainfall as a fresh weather system is likely to form in the next 12 hours and concentrate into a depression. It is likely to reach near north Tamil Nadu by November 11 early morning.
While rains will cover most places of the State, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places of coastal TN. One or two places may even receive extremely heavy rains of above 20.4 cm. on Wednesday and Thursday.
According to a bulletin, Monday’s cyclonic circulation over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea persists. Under its influence, a low pressure area is very likely to form over Southeast Bay of Bengal during next 12 hours. It is likely to move west– northwestwards, intensify into a depression and reach near north TN coast by Thursday.
Water release from Poondi reservoir increased to 5,000 cusecs
Water release from Poondi reservoir, one of Chennai's major drinking water sources, has been increased to 5,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) at 10 a.m. as more inflow is expected to reach the water body by Tuesday evening.
At present, the water body has storage of 2,706 million cubic feet (mcft) against 3,231 mcft. Spread over 34.58 sq.km, the reservoir is getting 3,226 cusecs as inflow from catchment areas upstream. The Water Resources Department is letting out 4,040 cusecs as of now.
This is being increased further as 1,000 cusecs of surplus water released from Ammapalli dam in Andhra Pradesh is set to reach the reservoir by Tuesday evening and intense rains have been forecast on Wednesday and Thursday.
Thunderstorm nowcast for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, thunderstorm with moderate rain is likely to occur at one or two places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, Myladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Theni, Dindugul, Madurai, Thenkasi,Thirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Virudunagar districts of Tamil Nadu with in next three hours.
Water level touches 119 feet in Mettur
With the water level touching 119 feet at the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur and the discharge at 20,000 cusecs, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has issued a flood warning asking people residing in the low-lying areas along the banks of the River Cauvery to move to safer locations on Tuesday.
Suburban train services to be operated as per Sunday schedule
The suburban train services in Chennai division will be operating as per Sunday schedule.
In a press release by Southern Railway suburban train services on Tuesday will be maintained in the Chennai Central-Arakkonam, Chennai Central–Gummidipundi/Sullurupeta, Chennai Beach– Chengalpattu via Tambaram and Chennai Beach–Velachery sections.
Holiday declared for schools and colleges in multiple districts
A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Mayiladuthurai district due to rain. A holiday has been declared for schools in Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tiruvarur, Madurai and Pudukottai districts.
Concerns being raised over cows stranded on roads in city during the rain
Concerns are being raised over cows kept without shelter or proper care during the ongoing rain, particularly in the Triplicane area.
Two days ago, a social media user said a calf was lying sick near the MRTS bridge on Dr. Besant Road. According to the user, while the person rearing it had abandoned the calf, the animal rescue services too were not of any help.
When The Hindu visited the spot on Monday, cows were found on the road and on the banks of the canal without shelter. Similar scenes were witnessed in places in and around Triplicane. Vignesh, a resident of the area, said around five families were rearing cows in the area. “They have limited space. There must be around 50 cows, but only 10 or 15 get to be in the sheds erected by the families,” he said.
Central Chennai is the worst-hit
Residential neighbourhoods in Central region of Greater Chennai Corporation, located in close proximity to the banks of the Cooum, Buckingham Canal and the Adyar rivers have been the worst-affected in the floods. Out of the 5,000 complaints of flooding received by the Greater Chennai Corporation in this spell of rain in the past two days, zones of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Anna Nagar and Kodambakkam in Central Chennai have registered the highest number among the 15 zones in the city.
Residents were seen moving out of their homes in flooded areas on Monday as power supply was disrupted, water remained waist high and snakes slithered across in residential areas. Hundreds of residents lost their personal property because of flooding on Sunday.
Break from heavy spell saves south Chennai
Unlike north and central Chennai, the situation was marginally better in many parts of south Chennai barring some streets where waterlogging continued on Sunday.
The break from intense downpour on Sunday night provided much needed relief for the residents who were reeling under the fear of facing another 2015-like situation.
Though the main roads in Velachery, Adambakkam, Adyar, Pallikaranai and Madipakkam were free from flooding, many of the streets witnessed waterlogging although the water level had begun to slowly recede owing to the break from heavy spell.
No respite from inundation for residents of north Chennai
There was no respite from waterlogging for residents of many parts of north Chennai. As rain inundated several roads, interior lanes and low-lying neighbourhoods in the northern part of the city, residents of many areas blamed the poor storm water drain network that was causing flooding.
Residents of Pulianthope and its surrounding areas were among the worst-hit as rainwater inundated many of the stretches, leaving hundreds of residents in the lurch.
Decaster Road, Stephenson Road, Pulianthope Main Road and Pattalam and K.M. Garden were heavily waterlogged. Many streets and neighbourhoods in Tiruvottiyur were flooded, while interior lanes in parts of Choolai, Jawahar Nagar, parts of Perambur and Vyasarpadi were waterlogged.
