Chennai, Oct 21 (IANS) Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Sameeran urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from waterlogged areas as heavy overnight rain battered the city and neighbouring districts, with the weather department forecasting further intense rainfall.
Sameeran, in a statement, said that precautionary measures had been put in place across Chennai, where rainfall exceeding 10 centimetres had been recorded. He appealed to people against venturing out without an urgent need or gathering near stretches inundated by rainwater. Residents should also avoid standing in flooded locations to take photographs, he said, stressing the need for caution as rain continued to affect several parts of the city.
The warning came as the weather department said a low-pressure area was likely to form on Wednesday over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Tamil Nadu coast. Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until October 26.
The forecast covers six days beginning October 21, raising concerns over continued waterlogging in areas already affected by the overnight downpour. Another low-pressure area was also considered likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal on October 23, according to the information provided.
Several parts of Chennai, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur experienced heavy rain throughout the night. The weather department indicated that the spell could continue, prompting civic authorities to maintain preparedness for further rainfall.
Sameeran said evacuation operations were underway in waterlogged localities.
Arrangements had been made on the basis of weather department data, and civic teams were responding to complaints arising from the downpour. Complaints about uprooted trees and interruptions to the electricity supply were being addressed, he said.
Most complaints relating to stagnant rainwater had come from Manali and Madhavaram, indicating particular difficulties in those areas. The commissioner said the civic administration had readied its response measures in line with the rainfall forecast.
Efforts were continuing to deal with the impact of the rain while assisting residents in affected neighbourhoods, he said.
People requiring assistance or wishing to report rain-related problems in Chennai can contact the corporation helpline on 1913, he said.
With further heavy rainfall expected, the corporation’s appeal focused on limiting avoidable movement and preventing people from exposing themselves to danger around flooded stretches. Residents were urged to cooperate with evacuation efforts and report problems through the helpline so that civic teams could respond.
–IANS
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