Chennai Faces Heavy Rains, Waterlogging Hits Low-Lying Areas Amid Red Alert: Schools Shut, Emergency Measures in Place

Chennai and the rest of Tamil Nadu, on the contrary, are undergoing a shortage of rainfall due to a well-defined low-pressure area situated over the Bay of Bengal. This weather system has been persistent since Monday, 14th October 2024, and is predicted to grow more severe than that of the previous systems, thereby developing into a depression. According to the authorities, – out of order – on the orange weather warning status for the district, a red – for sent to Chennai , on October 16, the impending prospects of heavier downpours have induced even the authorities with some caution.

Impact of Heavy Rains in Chennai

According to reports, the rains have brought about severe instances of flooding over a number of areas considered low lying such as Velachery, Koyambedu and Perungudi. People inhabiting these places have been badly affected, some having to park their cars in higher places to prevent them from being soaked in water. Footages from different parts of the city indicate inundated streets with vehicles gone under water and the normal business activities of the city brought to a halt. Some areas despite preventive measures are still inundated and this is a nuisance to the citizens in such areas.

Many metro stations and roads in and around the city have traffic restrictions on account of water logging, and the Greater Chennai Corporation has mobilized syphons in the worst hit areas. But, the rains are supposed to last longer, and that creates fears again about new disturbances.

Schools and Offices Shut as Precaution

In an effort to avert the effects of the forthcoming storms, the Tamil Nadu government has then moved into legally binding actions. Colleges and schools within the Chennai metropolis have been put off, and IT firms have been requested to issue a work-from-home notice from October 15th to 18th. This move seeks to protect the public through reduction of road usage to avert accidents or disruption owing to water on the roads.

The government’s swift response has attracted admiration from the general public with San Francisco state saying more heavy rains are expected. Water unit personnel have also made city residents, who are unable to move out as the heavy rains are expected, stand ready with power in accordance with essential services activation for a possible emergency.

Emergency Measures in Place

Relief operations for the Chennai floods top and or in sandbags cover Tamil Nadu’s scoff scoff is Udhayanidhi Stalin. On the 13th of October he was present at and toured the Integrated Command and Control Centre of the city with particular regard to heat leadership of the Unitäre team in the dispatch of Vital Emergency Services. Help for water logging and most other rain related things like power breakages have also been managed through provision of a helpline “1913” around which facilities operate 24 hours a day. Also in Tamil it has become very normal for people to use the app Tamil Nadu Alert to know possible weather conditions and warnings.

Over 13,000 citizens were mobilized by the state government for the flood relief operations as 113 high capacity pumps were put in place to evacuate the water from submerged areas. In several parts of the city, cologne shelters have been set up for those rendered homeless by the floods.

Due to the torrential rains, the Greater Chennai Corporation is taking steps to control the water levels in stormwater drains and canals. Social media updates have been sent to residents and solicited feedback through the use of information on areas that are worst hit in real-time.

IMD Weather Forecast

Very heavy rainfall warning has been issued by the India Meteorological Department for the districts of Tamil Nadu and specifically in Chennai, Tiruvallur and areas along the coast for the next couple of days. Fishermen are warned against venturing out to the seas due to the rough seas and the citizens are advised to exercise caution as the weather system keeps changing.

It is predicted that the low pressure system is expected to progress to a depression, which will enhance the chances of widespread rain in the next couple of days. The system has been forecasted by the IMD to proceed towards the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra which will result in heavy rainfall and many thunderstorms in these areas.

Conclusion

The people of the city know rather well that more troubled days await them, as Chennai is suffering soldiers rains almost on every day. The government’ s urgent measures including the closing of schools, persuading people to work from home and setting up emergency facial measures are helping to minimize the effect of its weather. Conditionally, the situation still remains tense and people’s preparedness are getting hampered as residents are fatigued most with temperatures and rain in the forecast.

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds. For real-time alerts, you can download the Tamil Nadu Alert app or contact the helpline number 1913 for assistance.