No food, electricity and internet connectivity: Chennai battles aftereffects of Cyclone Michaung

Some of the elderly residents, who suffer from diabetes, have not had proper food for 48 hours, leading to worsening health conditions. In some areas, people had to wade through water for over 7 km in absence of transportation options.

At S Kolathur Road in Narayanapuram, near Chennai, there are over 100 houses that have been affected by the rainwater. The residents say the water from the Narayanapuram Eri (lake) has caused flooding here.

Bhuvana, a 65-year-old resident with diabetes, said she has developed itchy rashes as she has been living in knee-deep water for the last three days.

Bhuvana and her daughter, Alli, who are residents of S Kolathur Road in Narayanapuram.

“My husband passed away recently and I live with my younger daughter here. No one came here, no one helped us. We have been struggling for the past three days. I have a heart condition, I am just taking tablets, sitting on the stairs as I cannot enter my home with all the water around. The television, refrigerator and other things have been damaged by the flood water. Food items stored in the kitchen have also been affected,” she said.

Narayanapuram, S Kolathur Road: Entire area is surrounded by water, residents, esp elderly people are pleading for help. All their belongings are damaged, & they are struggling for the past 3 days without food, connectivity. Immediate help is required. #ChennaiFloods pic.twitter.com/m4iKIctSB8

— Janardhan Koushik (@koushiktweets) December 5, 2023

Alli (40), Bhuvana’s daughter, says the prices of essential items like milk and biscuits have skyrocketed.

“A packet of milk is being sold for Rs 50 and even that is not available because people have already stocked up whatever they could lay their hands on. Since we don’t have anyone in our house to go and buy any essential item, we are struggling. The government should take measures to make the water recede and provide us with food,” she said.

Sundaresan (55), an electrician by profession, said the government did not complete the storm water drain works and many people here have left their houses as is with whatever possible and have sought refuge in the nearby areas.

Alvaris Ahmed (74), a long-time resident of the area, said stagnated water is a big problem, especially during the rainy days as it becomes unbearable.

“No officials visited here. There is flood water inside my house. I have come to buy some food, leaving behind my wife and two kids,” he said.

Ahmed added, “Walking in water is dangerous too. I don’t know which part has an open drain. Once the sun sets, the situation becomes worse. We are living in so much pain.”

A resident of the area left his house inundated in water and took refuge at his shop with all his belongings. A few others said they are surviving only on milk for the last 24 hours.

At Pallikaranai, one of the worst affected areas that falls under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCP), the water is yet to recede. Several areas, including AGS Colony, Rajesh Nagar, Kamakoti Nagar and Balaji Nagar, are flooded.

Jesudas, a resident of Kamakoti Nagar, said there has been no network, making it difficult to contact anyone in case of an emergency.

“More than 30-40 villas and apartments are situated here and the area is badly affected. Some of the people from Kamakshi Nagar have gone to rehabilitation centres while many others are stranded with no option,” Jesudas said.

In some areas, people had to wade through water for over 7 km in absence of transportation options.

He added, “There hasn’t been much rain for some time now and the water should’ve been drained out by now. The government should take proactive measures and use high power pumps. There is still around five and half feet of water in the area.”

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in support with the local police, were involved in rescuing people from the worst affected areas. With the support of local bodies as well as the non-government organisations (NGO), the residents stuck inside were provided basic items like biscuits, bread, etc. The hostel students of Balaji Dental College and Jerusalem Engineering were also vacated safely by the police.

Hariharan, a resident of AGS Colony, said he is unable to see his 80-year-old mother who is stranded in her house. He claimed that with minimal boat services, the officials are not able to provide requisite help.

“I stay at my friend’s residence in Velachery, I was unable to go yesterday (Monday) amid the heavy rainfall. As the rain stopped Tuesday, I decided to reach my residence at AGS Colony but the water is neck-deep. The entire area is flooded; snakes and leeches have entered the residence so I am scared for my mother,” Hariharan said.

He further said, “No essential items have reached that place. I have told them so many times but the officials are yet to rescue my mother. I started from Velachery at 10 am and I came here at 1:50 pm and it will take a minimum of three more hours for me to reach my friend’s place. I just hope my mother is all right.”

Several people were seen walking in areas like Taramani and Velachery in knee-deep water as there was no transportation.

As per the latest update from the Greater Chennai Police (GCP), on Wednesday, the death toll in the city due to the rains has risen to 17. According to a news agency, an interim Central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore has been sought by the Tamil Nadu government to provide relief to the people and rebuild infrastructure damaged by the incessant rains in Chennai and some other districts of the state.