Chennai: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has announced that arrivals at Chennai Airport will be suspended from 1:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday due to severe rains and strong crosswinds. According to AAI, the departures will continue. The decision was made “in light of the passengers’ safety and the severity of the wind,” according to the statement. In Tamil Nadu, at least 14 people have perished as a result of the constant rains. On Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red signal for areas of Tamil Nadu, including northern Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts, suggesting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
Due to the creation of depression in the Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu has been drenched. The weather system was travelling northwestward at 14 kmph, according to IMD. At 11:30 a.m., it was roughly 80 kilometres east-southeast of Chennai and 140 kilometres east-northeast of Puducherry. By Thursday evening, it was expected to continue northwestwards and cross the beaches of north Tamil Nadu and bordering Andhra Pradesh between Karaikal and Sriharikota, near to the north of Puducherry, according to the IMD.
Commuters were diverted across the city when the traffic police shuttered at least seven roadways and 11 subways. Some suburban trains were suspended, while others were delayed, due to waterlogging on rail tracks. Flight operations were normal, according to the Airport Authority of India, and additional measures were made at airports due to the bad weather. “In Tennessee, we’ve dispatched 11 teams, and in Puducherry, we’ve deployed two teams.” Five other squads are on standby. All teams are self-contained and equipped to deal with a wide range of crises. People are advised to stay indoors if their home is not flooded.” Sr Commandant, NDRF, 4th Battalion, Rekha Nambiyar