With the next extreme weather event likely tohit Chennai and its suburbs on November 10-11, looks like Chennai's 'flood'problem is back again. A red alert has already been issued.
Heavy overnight rain led to flooding inseveral areas of Chennai on Sunday. Nungambakkam recorded 21.5 cm of rainfall,the highest recorded in a 24-hour period since 2015.
Chembarambakkam and Puzhal reservoirs, whichserve as important sources of drinking water to Chennai city would beopened to let out surplus rainwater.
A flood alert has been issued in Kancheepuramand Chengalpattu districts on the banks of River Adyar.
With more heavy rain forecast for the cityover the next 48 hours, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a two-dayholiday for schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet and Kancheepuramdistricts.
Stalin inspected several inundated areasalong with top officials including Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu and directedauthorities to take swift action to drain flood water.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi spoke to CMStalin and assured all possible help to mitigate the crisis. He tweeted, “Spoketo Tamil Nadu CM, Thiru @mkstalin and discussed the situation in the wake ofheavy rainfall in parts of the state. Assured all possible support from theCentre in rescue and relief work. I pray for everyone’s well-being and safety.”
Four teams of National Disaster ResponseForce have been deployed to assist in rescue operations in case of emergency.One team each in Chengalpet and Tiruvallur and two teams at Madurai arestationed for rescue operations, the TNSDMA said.