Chennai: A severe rainstorm battered Chennai and surrounding districts on Tuesday, causing widespread flooding, traffic chaos, and disruption of essential services. The city’s infrastructure struggled to cope with the deluge, leaving residents stranded.
“The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 0530 hours IST of today, the16th October 2024 over the same region near latitude 12.1° N and longitude 83.4°E, about 360 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 390 km east of Puducherry and 450 km southeast of Nellore (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”, IMD updated in a recent tweet on X.
With the Northeast Monsoon bringing relentless rains and triggering flood warnings in Tamil Nadu, the state government has declared a public holiday for schools, colleges, and government offices in Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu for October 16.
The decision, announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin, comes as the India Meteorological Department predicts more rainfall for the state. The IMD forecast suggests that the worst is yet to come, with rains expected to intensify on October 16, before tapering off by October 18. The low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which has already caused havoc in Chennai and its neighbouring districts, is expected to strengthen into a depression as it moves towards the coast.
In response, the state has set up 931 relief centres, ensuring that food and medical care are available to those affected by the floods.
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