Cyclone LIVE: Rain subsides in Chennai; cyclone to make landfall tomorrow
The Tamil Nadu government says disaster response force teams are on standby in 26 locations in Chennai and elsewhere.
Incessant rain ceased a bit on Wednesday (October 16) in most parts of northern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, bringing respite to people, but many areas across the city are still flooded.
The Tamil Nadu government said that disaster response force teams are on standby in 26 locations in Chennai and nearby districts. The Greater Chennai Corporation has housed people living in low-lying areas in relief centres, and all support, including food, is being extended to them.
The IMD said the depression over the Bay of Bengal is now about 360 km east-southeast of Chennai, 390 km east of Puducherry and 450 km southeast of Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.
"It is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu - South Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore, close to Chennai during early morning of 17th October," the department said.
Chief Minister Stalin announced that on October 16 and 17, food will be provided free of cost in Amma canteens in Chennai to support the poor.
Karnataka
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning and squall on Wednesday for coastal, north interior and south interior parts of Karnataka. It has forecast very heavy rain for Bengaluru and surrounding districts of coastal, north interior and south interior of Karnataka till October 18, IMD said.
Overcast conditions are likely to continue in the city over the next three to four days.
Andhra Pradesh
According to an IMD official, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, along with extremely heavy rainfall in some isolated places.
Watch: Is Chennai prepared for monsoon this year? Ground reality is worrisome
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Live Updates
- 15 Oct 2024 7:33 AM GMT
What Chennai looks like today
K Venkatesan (56) pushed his auto for 2 km as it got stranded in floodwaters at Pallikaranai, which used to be a wetland. Encroachments of waterbodies and concretisation of wetlands are major factors that result in flooding in many parts of Chennai
While one lane of the road at Kottivakkam is flooded, the other one is flooded with vehicles
The Chennai Metro Rail phase 2 construction spot was flooded on Tuesday
- 15 Oct 2024 7:25 AM GMT
Taramani flooded
Floodwater being pumped out of a hotel in Taramani, which is among 169 low-lying flood-prone spots in Chennai
- 15 Oct 2024 6:14 AM GMT
Helpline number, weather app
There has been no waterlogging in the subways in Chennai because of preventive maintenance, civic authorities have said. Trees that fell were removed at once, they said.
Waterlogging was, however, seen in several places, and the Greater Chennai Corporation said it has been pumping out water into stormwater drains.
The number of road users decreased sharply in the city and suburbs with continuing rains and thunderstorms. Moderate to heavy, widespread rains lashed Chennai, Tiruvallur and other parts of the state.
Chennai Corporation announced a helpline number 1913. The government has requested people to check the TN Alert App for weather updates. Flight and train operations, including Metro Rail, have so far not been affected.
Some people, who own cars in the flood-prone Ram Nagar in Madipakkam parked their vehicles in nearby Velachery bridge, a key part of busy south Chennai, and some, reportedly, moved away from their homes to hotels.
- 15 Oct 2024 5:14 AM GMT
Udhayanidhi tweets about govt measures
Tamil Nadu DyCM Udhayanidhi Stalin updated people about the measures taken by the government in a series of posts on X.
"In the context of heavy rains across Chennai city, we conducted a survey in our #ChepaukTriplicane block, GP road area a while ago. Municipal employees are working in full swing on GP Road, which is usually identified as one of the water-logged areas. We met them in person and cheered them on with refreshments. Also, we visited the places where rainwater drains have been installed and advised the authorities to prevent water stagnation."
"In Chennai due to widespread rain due to #NEMonsoon, we personally examined the way rain water drains through the drains set up in our #ChepaukTriplicane block, Rayapetta Jani John Khan Road and surrounding areas. Also, we gave milk and snacks to the sanitation workers who are volunteering for the people even in the middle of the night in the pouring rain and appreciated them. We advised the authorities to properly monitor the rainfall and take measures to avoid any harm to the people."
"As heavy rains are falling in various parts of Chennai, as per the directions of Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu @mkstalin, we conducted a survey on the banks of Narayanapuram lake between Pallikaranai and Kovilambakkam some time ago. We examined the manner in which the banks of the Narayanapuram lake have been strengthened, and inquired from the officials about the manner in which the channels leading to the rainwater lake have been dug, the nature of the banks, etc. We examined the canal from Ambedkar Road which brings the surplus water from Kilikattalai Lake to Narayanapuram Lake. Also, we met the public in the area and got their demands and opinions. We advised the government officials to take appropriate action against them."
"Due to heavy rains, we are conducting surveys at various places in Chennai as per the directions of Hon'ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister @mkstalin. As a part of this, we inspected the works being carried out on Maylai Musiri Subramaniam Road, Block #ChepaukTriplicane to prevent rain water from stagnating with the Corporation officials. Also, we personally met the workers engaged in heavy rain prevention work and gave them refreshments. We have requested them to remove the rainwater quickly so that there is no disruption to the work going on there."
