Incessant torrential downpour continued to lash Chennai and other regions of Tamil Nadu on Thursday. Several visuals appeared on social media showing people wading through waterlogged streets wearing raincoats or carrying umbrellas. In light of the current situation, the educational institutions were announced to stay shut on Thursday.
What does IMD say?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a well-marked low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea moved west-northwestwards, and lay over the southeast Bay of Bengal. It is likely to turn into a depression and further intensify into a cyclonic storm around December 3. Thereafter, it would move northwestwards and reach the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh around the early morning hours of December 4 as a cyclonic storm.
Cosidering the prevailing situation, IMD has issued an orange alert in coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, between December 2 and 4, and in coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam for December 3 and 4.
A similar alert has also been given to Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh for December 4.
Heavy rain has also been predicted in Kerala, Mahe, Puducherry and Karaikal today.
Flood Warnings Issued
As per media reports, a flood warning was issued for low-lying areas and six villages along the banks of the Adyar river in Kanchipuram district as water was released from Chembarambakkam lake while the Puzhal lake in Chennai, owing to the heavy rains, reached its full capacity.
How is the govt responding?
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin visited the Ripon Buildings on Thursday to review the arrangements at the Command Control Centre in Chennai where the rainfall situation in the state is being monitored.
He also answered calls from residents on the 1913 helpline, which was launched by Chennai Corporation, and instructed officials to better coordination among departments to address grievances without delay.
