The state is experiencing heavy rain and flooding just a week after recovering from Cyclone Nivar.
The deep depression formed in the Gulf of Mannar due to Cyclone Burevi has brought heavy rains to most of Tamil Nadu, leading to flooding across the state. Heavy rains that began Thursday have thrown life off balance in many districts, flooding homes and flooding cities. One person died of electrocution on Friday when live wires came into contact with water in Chennai’s Tondiarpet.
Cyclone Burevi that struck Tamil Nadu, a week after its recovery from Cyclone Nivar, caused bodies of water to reach their maximum capacity across the state. As a result, the reservoirs had to release water, causing the flooding of residential areas. Thousands of people have been moved to excavation camps to avoid adverse incidents amid the pandemic.
Many districts, including Chennai, Cuddalore, Ramanathapuram, and Tirunelveli, are experiencing flooding and flooding. Several villages have been cut off from the capital in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai
Many parts of Chennai suffered from waterlogging and flooding due to intermittent heavy rains that hit the city after Cyclone Burevi. Parts of Chennai, such as Velachery, Pallikaranai, Tondiarpet, KK Nagar, Nandanam, Chitlapakkam, Mudichur, and Madipakkam, suffered from flooding and home flooding.
Many arterial roads in the city also suffered flooding, which became a nightmare for travelers. The reservoirs, including Chembarambakkam, Veeranam and Puzhal, began to release water as the influx has increased due to rains in the catchment areas. A flood warning was issued to people living near the waterway, and officials also instructed them to move to safer locations.
Cuddalore
Heavy rains have thrown life off balance in the Cuddalore districts. Within a week since the district recovered from the impact of Cyclone Nivar, Cuddalore is facing flooding and flooding again. The world famous Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram was flooded, the corridors and the temple premises were flooded with water up to the hips.
In Barathampattam of Cuddalore district, the National Disaster Response Force has begun evacuating people in boats. Many were moved to safer locations in Cuddalore, as access to many villages in the district was cut off. Agricultural lands are flooded and crops damaged due to flooding.
Tirunelveli
In Tirunelveli, the district administration has established 188 relief camps throughout the district, of which three are currently operational. A total of 45 people are sheltering in these three camps. A senior district administration official told TNM: “Seven multipurpose evacuation shelters have also been established along the coastal areas, which can accommodate 8,000 people.”
Three NDRF teams have been established, with 57 people. “A team is in Manjolai, which is a mountainous area, to help in case of heavy rains, access blockages and landslides. There is also a special medical team stationed there and rations for two weeks have also been sent. A second team is in Palayamkottai, which is the part of the city and a third team is in Koodankulam, which is the coastal region, ”the official explained. He added that the district administration is ready to address any situation arising from the vagaries of the weather and that they are constantly monitoring the regular bulletins and updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Ramanathapuram
As Cyclone Burevi looms over the Gulf of Mannar like a depression, the Ramanathapuram district is still prepared to face any eventuality that may arise from winds or rains. A senior district administration official told TNM that 7,860 people have been housed in aid centers across the district. Of the total of 209 relief centers established, 89 are currently in operation. One NDRF team is still on standby in the district, while the other two have been transferred. “We identify vulnerable areas such as coastal villages, flood-prone areas and weak structures and move all the people who live there to relief camps. Adequate supplies of food, including vegetables, have also been stocked in the camps. We are closely monitoring the weather and will do whatever it takes to keep people safe, ”the officer said.
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