Heavy rain
returned to Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, battering the already-ravaged coastal areas
and bringing life to a grinding halt in Puducherry and Chennai. On Tuesday, torrential rains
battered the already-ravaged coastal areas and bringing life to a grinding halt
in Puducherry and Chennai.
Heavy rain in the catchment areas
of the Chembarambakkam reservoir (25 centimetres between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30
p.m. on Tuesday) forced the authorities to discharge water at the rate of
20,000 cubic feet per second into the Adyar river. The Chennai Collector issued
a flood warning, asking people living along the river to move to safer places.
Electricity was
turned off in some areas as a precautionary measure. Most flights from and to
Chennai were delayed, and those who landed found it tough to get out of the
place, since south Chennai, on the fringes of which the airport is located, was
among the worst affected. A holiday was declared for all schools and colleges.
Boats had to be
called out once again to rescue residents caught in their workplaces and homes,
after floodwaters entered the buildings. Water release from the reservoirs and
the breaching of over 60 tanks in south Chennai contributed to the extensive
damage in the city.
Chief Minister
Jayalalithaa said senior IAS officers were sent to the affected districts to
supervise relief works. Eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF), Arakkonam, have been sent out for rescue operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted late night that he had spoken
to Ms. Jayalalithaa and assured her of all assistance during this “unfortunate
hour.”
Heavier rain has been predicted
for the areas over the next four days. The Tamil Nadu government also
requisitioned the Army’s help for rescue and relief.
Support for the stranded poured in online. From advising on helpline numbers and flooded roads to Tweeter feeds and Facebook status informing various people across Chennai on places to stay and grab their next meal in this tough times.