A woman wades through a waterlogged street following heavy rain at KM Garden in Purasaiwakkam, in Chennai, last week (PTI)Chennai, Tamil Nadu Rain Highlights: Heavy rains pounded several regions of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the well marked low pressure area over Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression, which is likely to cross the coast by November 11 evening. The weather system is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Karaikal and Sriharikota, close to the north of Puducherry by November 11 evening, a fresh update of the Meterological department said.
Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep S Bedi said on Wednesday that the city should brace for more rain in the coming days. “We’re expecting more than 250 mm of rain in and around Chennai in the next days. We’ve taken lot of steps. We’ve 492 major pumps which are working now,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The intermittent, light to moderate rainfall on Wednesday in Tamil Nadu, picked up pace by the evening. It became almost non-stop and heavy in several regions, particularly the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and nearby Chengelpet, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Villupuram.
The death toll due to heavy rainfall in the state stands at 12, said Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran, ANI reported. Thirteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, including five teams in Chennai, have been deployed in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for rescue and relief operations. Three teams have been kept in reserve position for additional support.
In the wake of the IMD forecast, the Tamil Nadu government has announced holiday for schools and colleges in nine districts — Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai — on November 10 and 11.
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Chennai: Commuters wade through a waterlogged area following heavy rain in Chennai, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. A flood alert has been sounded to people living in Chennai suburbs. (PTI Photo)
Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep S Bedi said on Wednesday that the city should brace for more rain in the coming days. “We're expecting more than 250 mm of rain in and around Chennai in the next days. We've taken lot of steps. We've 492 major pumps which are working now,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Heavy rains pounded several regions of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the well marked low pressure area over Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression, which is likely to cross the coast by November 11 evening.
The weather system is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Karaikal and Sriharikota, close to the north of Puducherry by November 11 evening, a fresh update of the Meterological department said.
The intermittent, light to moderate rainfall on Wednesday in Tamil Nadu, picked up pace by the evening. It became almost non-stop and heavy in several regions, particularly the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and nearby Chengelpet, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Villupuram.
"There is widespread rainfall now in Tamil Nadu. It intensified after 8 PM, especially in the northern regions," a weather department official here told PTI.
Announcing the expected formation of the depression, the IMD bulletin said the well marked low pressure area over central parts of south Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards and concentrated into a depression on Wednesday evening. (PTI)
A waterlogged street on Perambur Barracks Road in Chennai.
A waterlogged street on Perambur Barracks Road in Chennai.
Waterlogging was reported in several parts of Chennai in the aftermath of heavy rains.
Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to prevail over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar and along and off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts during November 10 and 11.
An alert has been issued for high waves in the range of 2.5-3.5 meters till 11.30 pm of Thursday off northern and southern Tamil Nadu coasts.
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin Wednesday inspected the State Emergency Management Center and the removal of debris from places in Chennai where heavy rainfall was reported.
Minister for Municipal Administration KN Nehru Wednesday visited the Integrated Command and Control Center functioning at the Metropolitan Corporation of Chennai Ribbon Building. Monitoring of monsoon activities were carried out at the center.
Following a let-up, showers resumed here and nearby regions while the low pressure area turned well marked on Wednesday, the Meteorological Department said. It is likely to become a depression and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast on November 11 evening, the department said.
The weather system is likely to bring widespread rainfall in Tamil Nadu for the next three to four days. The rainfall is expected to be scattered, heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy in specific regions and light to moderate in most other places.
As Tamil Nadu witnessed a fourth consecutive day of heavy rains, instances of waterlogging were reported from several parts of the state including Chennai.
Below is the graphic representation of the present location of the low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal.
Vegetable prices in Chennai have skyrocketed following the incessant rains across the state over the last four days. Traders and vendors attribute the spike to high demand and low supply due to damage of crops, and delays in transportation.
Tomatoes, for instance, were retailing at Rs 125/kg on Wednesday, up from Rs 100/ kg a day before. At wholesale markets, where tomatoes are sold at Rs 35-40/kg, it is now Rs 60-80/kg.
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As Tamil Nadu witnesses a fourth consecutive day of heavy rains, and braces for more this week, the National Disaster Relief Force has deployed as many as 13 teams to aid in rescue and relief operations, while the state police has 75,000 personnel, including those who have been trained in life-saving, in readiness.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Wednesday said a well marked low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal was likely to concentrate into a depression in the next 12 hours, moving west–northwestwards before reaching the north Tamil Nadu coast by early Thursday morning.
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Tamil Nadu is reeling under the fury of the northeast monsoon with heavy floods forcing a near shutdown in Chennai. At least four people have died in the city after rainwater inundated large parts of the residential areas and commercial hubs late last week. Schools and colleges were closed and railway traffic disrupted. Though the low pressure formation in the Bay of Bengal, which caused the heavy downpour, has lost its severity, there is fear that the city may see floods of the scale it experienced in 2015, when over 400 people died as record rain fell during the wettest November in a century.
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The India Meteorological Department said, "the Low Pressure Area over southeast Bay of Bengal lay as a Well Marked Low Pressure Area over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal at 05:30 hrs IST of today the 10th November. It lay over central parts of south Bay of Bengal at 0830 hrs IST. It is likely to concentrate into a Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal during next 12 hours, move west–northwestwards and reach near north Tamilnadu coast by the early morning of 11th November, 2021."
"Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu & adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast between Karaikal & Sriharikota around Cuddalore by the evening of 11th November 2021," the department said.
According to the US Consulate General's air pollution monitor that covers the area of Gopalpuram, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Chennai as of 10 am today is 167. This is considered 'unhealthy', as per the standards of the Consulate's monitor.
The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Managment Authority (TNSDMA) Wednesday released a flood advisory for the districts of Thoothukudi, Villipuram, Tirunelveli, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Chengalpettu, ahead of heavy rains predicts on November 10, 11.
Karaikal and Nagapattinam received extremely heavy rainfall on Tuesday night with Nagapattinam receiving 245 mm of rainfall and Karaikal seeing 272 mm till 5.30 am on November 10.
The India Meterological Department said that the low pressure area over central parts of South Bay of Bengal lies as a Well Marked Low Pressure Area over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal with the associated cyclonic circulation extending upto 5.8 km above mean sea level.
"It is likely to concentrate into a Depression during next 12 hours over Southwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to move west–northwestwards and reach near north Tamilnadu coast by the early morning of 11th November, 2021," IMD said.
13 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, including five teams in Chennai have been deployed in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for rescue and relief operations. Three teams have been kept in reserve position for additional support.
With several parts of Chennai inundated by water after the city was lashed with heavy rain over the weekend, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday accused the previous AIADMK government of pilfering money from the Centre’s Smart City scheme. He also said that his government will initiate a probe into AIADMK leader S P Velumani, who held the portfolio of municipal administration in the previous government.
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Chennai recorded a maximum rainfall of 174.10 mm at the end of a 24-hour period at 8:30 on Wednesday. Mylapore topped the list recording 32.60 mm of rainfall. Tondairpet recorded 20.20 mm, Guindy and Pursawakkam recorded 18.20 mm rainfall. An average rainfall of 15.83 mm was recorded in 24-hours.
In the next one of two hours, thunderstorms with moderate rain is predicted at isolated places over Chennai, Kancheepuram. Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupathur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Kallakuruchi, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Taniavur, Thiruvarur, Pudukottai, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Tiruchirapalli, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Madurai, and Tiruvallur districts.
The low pressure area over Bay of Bengal is very likely to concentrate into a depression soon and bring widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu for the next couple of days, the Meteorological department said in Chennai on Tuesday.
Comparatively, though there was a decline in rainfall in Chennai and nearby districts like Chengelpet on Tuesday, regions like Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam and Karaikal in the Union Territory of Puducherry received heavy to very heavy rainfall as per official inputs available here.
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A check dam constructed across the Thenpennai river at Thalavanur in Villupuram district broke down on Tuesday in the wake of incessant rainfall, officials said.
This is the second instance of the dam getting damaged within a year. The Public Works Department had restored a portion of the dam that got damaged during rain in January this year.
The dam is located between Cuddalore and Villupuram districts. It has six vents – three in Enathimangalam on the Cuddalore side and three in Thalavanur on the Villupuram side. The dam was constructed during the AIADMK regime at a cost of Rs 25 crore. It was inaugurated by former Tamil Nadu law minister C Ve Shanmugam in September 2020. Read More
Against the extremely heavy rainfall (>20 cm) warning for Tamil Nadu issued by the IMD for Tuesday, Karaikal has reported 20 cm rainfall till 8.30 pm today. Nagapatinam has also reported more than 15 cm rainfall.
Isolated extremely heavy falls (>20 cm) are very likely over different districts of Central and Northern parts of Coastal Tamil Nadu till November 11. The intensity would decrease to isolated heavy falls thereafter from November 12 over the region.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted liberty to the members of the third gender to insist that the government or the authorities concerned provide reservation for them in employment.
The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu gave the liberty while disposing of a PIL petition from Grace Banu Ganeshan, who prayed for a direction to the Registrar-General of the High Court to conduct a special recruitment drive for transgenders with one per cent reservation for them in the vacancies to be filled by him, based on a recent notification by the Madras High Court.
In his counter, the Registrar-General submitted that there was no application from any person belonging to the third gender.
This Public Interest Litigation has worked itself out, as there was no third gender application pursuant to the said notification issued on March 14 this year. Hence, "it is disposed of without affecting the petitioner and the rights of the members of the third gender to insist on reservation in future recruitment processes," the bench said. (PTI)
An 11-year-old boy got washed away while he was attempting to take a selfie near a waterfall on Kalvarayan Hills in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, police said.
However, fire and rescue personnel have still not been able to trace the boy.
The boy has been identified as Sathish and he is a resident of Tiruvannamalai. Kallakurichi Police said that the boy and his family were on a visit to a relative’s house in the district.
“The family had planned to visit the Anjaneyar temple, and Sathish along with two of his cousins had gone to Mankombu waterfall in Sirukalur on Sunday morning. He was trying to take a picture when he slipped and got washed away. We were intimated of the incident around 12 noon but could not locate the body as it was raining heavily then. We tried searching for the body again on Monday, but were unsuccessful. Today, another team has gone for a search in the nearby village where the stream originates,” Jagadeesan, station officer, Fire and Rescue Serve, Kallakurichi told indianexpress.com.
With the forecast clearly indicating heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on November 10 and 11, the government has stepped up preparations for rescue and relief works across Chennai and three other neighbouring districts — Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet.
The IMD forecast for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry said the cyclonic circulation over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood is leading to the formation of a low pressure area. An associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 4.5 km above mean sea level and is “very likely to concentrate into a depression over Southwest and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal during next 36 hours.”
Meanwhile, AIADMK coordinator and former deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to instruct the Tamil Nadu government to seek funds for the state to carry out timely rescue, relief and rehabilitation works. Read More
The prevailing rains and floods in Tamil Nadu is a lesson for government officials vis-a-vis encroachment, the Madras High Court observed on Tuesday.
The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu made the observation while disposing of a writ petition from one T Tamilarasan, praying for a direction to the Ariyalur district administration to remove the encroachments made by an individual on an extent of 1.03 hectare, which had been classified as Mamanakka Lake (water body) in a village there by considering his representation dated October 12 this year and consequently direct them to restore the lake to its original position at the cost of the encroacher.
"It may not be out of context to record that the on-going rains and the floods in and around Chennai and elsewhere in the state should be a lesson for the government officials to take immediate action against any person attempting to encroach into any waterbody or the path meant for flowing water during the rainy season," the bench said.
It permitted the petitioner to carry a fresh, detailed representation pertaining to the matters complained to the local Tahsildar within four weeks. (PTI)
In the wake of the IMD forcast, the Tamil Nadu government has announced holiday for schools and colleges in nine districts -- Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai -- on November 10 and 11.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has urged the people of the state to remain alert and take precautionary measures in view of the heavy rain prediction by the IMD in the next few days.
Chief Minister M K Stalin Tuesday said that the floodwaters had receded in many areas and that he will continue to monitor that the relief measures are carried out smoothly.
In a series of tweets, he said that within six months of assuming office, with proper planning, his government was able to rectify half of the administrative irregularities committed by the AIADMK for the past 10 years. 'We will revamp Chennai completely,' he said, and added that an enquiry would be done regarding the funds that were allocated by the AIADMK for flood prevention.
A fresh row related to Mullaperiyar dam has erupted between Kerala, where the dam is situated, and Tamil Nadu, the custodian of the dam. The controversy is over felling of trees downstream the baby dam, which is part of the 126-year-old Mullaperiyar dam. On November 5, 2021, Kerala granted Tamil Nadu permission to cut down 15 trees, but the decision was frozen two days later in the wake of fears that such a move would impair the interests of Kerala in the long-pending inter-state dispute.
The Mullaperiyar dam comprises the main dam, a baby dam, an earthen dam and the spillway. While the length of the main dam is 1200 ft, the baby dam is 240 ft long. The full reservoir level of the dam is 152 ft while the maximum water level (as per design) is 155 ft. The baby dam was constructed to increase the water level from 118 ft. At present, the water level at the dam can be maintained at 142 ft as per a 2014 Supreme Court directive Pointing out the age of the dam and raising safety concerns, Kerala has been demanding that the water level be reduced to 136 ft. Read More
Amid heavy rains for the last three days, the Chennai Civic Corporation has allocated Rs 4 crore for relief measures. Chennai Civic Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said the city has recorded 15 mm of rainfall on Monday and waterlogging in many areas has started to dry down.
Addressing the media on Monday evening, Bedi asked people to follow safety guidelines as the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains for the next three days.
“Efforts are been taken to bale out the stagnated water. About 317 areas were waterlogged yesterday and 140 of them were cleared. In the remaining 177 areas, 50 per cent of the waterlogging has been cleared. As a precautionary measure, efforts are been made to bring in motor pumps with high horsepower from other ports. Rs 3 crore has been allocated to 15 zones to provide food for the needy. As many as 169 relief centres are in readiness to accommodate those residing in low-lying areas. Till now, 1,288 people have been rescued from those areas and accommodated in 58 centres,” Bedi said. Read More
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has said that free food would be provided till the end of the rainy season at Amma canteen.
Fisherfolk along the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been advised not to venture out till November 11 due to the inclement weather. In a bulletin, the IMD has said “squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal, Comorin area, Gulf of Munnar and Tamil Nadu coast”.
Fisherfolk in deep sea are advised to return to the coast by today.
The Madras High Court has pulled up the Chennai corporation over the waterlogging situation in the city, and for its “failure to take adequate measures to prevent inundation during rains", reports ANI. Questing the corporation on what action has been taken after the 2015 floods, the HC has warned of initiating suo motu proceedings if the situation isn’t brought under control.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert in Tamil Nadu for the next three days, till Thursday (November 11). In its latest bulletin issued at noon on Tuesday, 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.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has said an enquiry commission will be set up to probe the mismanagement of the central government’s Smart City funds in the state. He accused former municipal administration minister S P Velumani of taking a commission for the work.
“Water logging is still an issue. We don’t know what the previous government did with all the funds they received from the central government for the Smart City projects. No work was implemented,” he said, while pointing to stormwater drains. Stalin is overseeing relief work for the third consecutive day.
“The Velumani-led department just took a commission alone. Once these things are over, an enquiry commission will be formed to probe that, and action will be taken against those responsible,” he said, while addressing the media.
The Regional Weather Forecasting Centre in Chennai has predicted thunderstorms with moderate rain over Chennai, Chengalpettu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Mayildauthurai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkotai, Sivaganga, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu within next three hours.
The state government has appointed five IAS officers as nodal officers to monitor relief measures in flood-affected areas in Chennai and neighbouring regions. The officers have been directed to provide necessary advice to clear bottlenecks and ensure relief material reach the residents.
Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K Palanswami has accused the DMK government of failing to take precautionary measures ahead of the northeast monsoon. Palaniswami said the lack of planning has led to waterlogging in the city.
His statement came after he visited Kodambakkam, West Mambalam and KK Nagar in Chennai on Monday and distributed relief material to the public.
Addressing the media, he said during his tenure as CM, the AIADMK government planned things ahead of the monsoon. He also claimed that his government, with the use of modern equipment, was able to prevent the city from getting inundated.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin for the third day has ventured out to provide food and relief material to those affected by the rains. On Tuesday, he was in his constituency, Kolathur.
Due to the forecast, the state government has asked schools and colleges to remain closed on Tuesday in 23 districts, including Chennai.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an ‘orange’ alert in 14 districts — Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai and Salem — on Tuesday, warning of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Authorities have been releasing water from Mettur dam since early this morning. To begin with, 10,000-15,000 cusecs of water will be released. An alert has been sounded and residents in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer locations.
Due to the incessant rains and water logging in Chennai, the Southern Railway has announced that the ‘Sunday pattern’ of services will be implemented on Tuesday. Only minimal services will run today - Chennai Central-Arakkonam; Chennai Central-Gummidipundi/Sullurpeta; Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu; Chennai Beach-Velachery.
On Monday evening, Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi addressed the media on the situation in the city. Here are some points he made:
Four people were killed in the past 24 hours as rains continued to lash Chennai and the northern districts of Tamil Nadu on Monday. In a bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclonic circulation over south east Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman sea, extending up to 5.8 km above the mean sea level, persists. Under its influence, a low pressure area is very likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood in the next 24 hours.
Here are the top developments from Chennai on a rain-drenched Monday
# An orange alert has been sounded in Chennai for Monday and Tuesday and a red alert for Wednesday with IMD forecasting more rainfall in the city. Four people and 16 cattle have been killed in rain-related incidents in Chennai, Theni and Madurai districts ‘in the past 24 hours, PTI reported quoting an official release. According to the weather department, the low pressure which might form over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to move west-northwestwards, concentrate into a depression and reach near north Tamil Nadu coast by November 11 early morning, bringing widespread rainfall across the state. Read more
Surplus rain water gushed out of reservoirs while several roads here resembled swollen rivers and four persons were killed in rain related incidents in Tamil Nadu and over 60 houses suffered damage, authorities said on Monday.
Four persons lost their lives in rain related incidents in Chennai, Theni and Madurai districts 'in the past 24 hours and 16 heads of cattle died, an official release stated.
The Meteorological department in a bulletin said the cyclonic circulation over south east Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman sea, extending up to 5.8 kilometres above the mean sea level, persists.
Under its influence, a low pressure area is very likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during the next 24 hours.
It is likely to move west–northwestwards, concentrate into a depression and reach near north Tamil Nadu coast by November 11, early morning and bring widespread rainfall in several regions of the state, the bulletin said.
Considering such advisory, fishermen were advised to not venture into sea for fishing between November 9 and 12. (PTI)
Rainfall data till 05:30 pm, Monday: Nungambakkam - 15.0 mm, Ennore port - 8.0 mm, Meenambakkam - 13.0 mm, Chidambaram - 16.5 mm, Neyveli - 16.5 mm, Hosur - 1.0 mm, Madurai - 1.0 mm, Perambalur - 1.0 mm, Kalavai - 19.5 mm, Thiruchendur - 7.0 mm, Tuticorin port - 8.0 mm
During his visit to rain-affected areas in the city, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin met a newly-wed couple and wished them at MKB Nagar, Chennai.