Red alert in Tamil Nadu over heavy rain; 5 killed

THE Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu till Thursday (11). In a bulletin issued on Tuesday (9), the IMD predicted “light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy falls at isolated places” in the state. The red alert was issued for state capital Chennai and five other districts.

Five people have died in rain-related incidents across the state while several hundred huts and houses have been damaged, Tamil Nadu’s revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran said on Tuesday (9).

Commuters wade through a waterlogged road after heavy rainfall in Chennai in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. (ANI Photo)

The IMD has predicted rain until Thursday due to the formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal region. The system is expected to intensify into a depression and move west-northwest-wards by November 11. The IMD has also warned that the rain could cause flooding of roads and low-lying areas; damage to vulnerable structures and crops; localised landslides; etc.

The Madras High Court meanwhile pulled up the Chennai Corporation – the civic body of the capital of Tamil Nadu – over the waterlogging in the city and for its “failure to take adequate measures to prevent inundation during rains”, Asian News International reported. The court questioned the corporation over the action it has taken after the devastating floods of 2015 and warned it of initiating suo motu proceedings if the situation is not brought under control.

Tamil Nadu chief minister visits flood-affected areas of Chennai

MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, visited various flood-hit areas of Chennai on Monday and distributed relief materials to the affected residents. Gagandeep Singh Bedi, the commissioner of the corporation, appealed to Chennai’s residents to remain prepared for heavy rain between Wednesday (10) and Friday (12).

Schools and colleges remained closed in Chennai on Tuesday and boats were deployed to reach the residents who have been affected by the flood conditions.

More than 500 people were killed while properties worth billions were destroyed in the South Indian floods that hit the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and the union territory of Puducherry.