Chennai, 11th November 2021: Heavy rains lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday evening. This situation continued on Thursday as well. Due to the pressure over the Bay of Bengal, more rains are expected in the state at least in the next two days. Chennai and adjoining Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Villupuram received non-stop rain on Wednesday evening. The rains and floods have claimed 14 lives so far.
Chennai is in bad shape due to heavy rains. Most of the streets of the city have been flooded. People living in slums have also suffered due to waterlogging. However, the administration is carrying out massive relief and rescue operations.
Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran told reporters here that two more people died due to heavy rains in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts during the last 24 hours. With this, where the death toll has increased to 14. At the same time, 157 cattle have died due to heavy rains. Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in the state in which 1146 huts and 237 houses have been damaged.
Flight landing suspended at Chennai airport
Officials stated on Thursday that due to rain and strong winds, the arrival of flights here has been postponed till evening. However, the departure will continue. Chennai Airport said in a tweet, “Arrival at Chennai Airport will be suspended from 1 PM to 6 PM on Thursday due to heavy rain and winds. Departures will continue. A decision taking into account the safety aspect of passengers and the severity of the wind has been taken.”
Heavy rain warning
S Balachandran, deputy director-general of meteorology, said that most districts of northern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the evening. The forecast was attributed to the pressure over the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to cross the coast between North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh on Thursday evening. Chennai will also see “strong” winds gusting to 45 kmph.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday directed the officials to remain alert and review the situation from time to time in view of the stormy weather. During a video conference with the District Collectors of Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor, and Cuddapah on the situation arising out of heavy rains, the CM called for a high alert especially in view of the heavy rains in Nellore and Chittoor districts. He told the officials that SDRF and NDRF teams are ready. He directed the collectors to prepare relief camps to take care of the people of the flood-prone areas with proper facilities and to provide relief amounts of one thousand rupees to each victim.