December 03, 2015
Kalaivaraikalai
வரலாறு காணாத மழை வெள்ளம், ஸ்தம்பித்தது தலைநகர் சென்னை.
தமிழகத்தின் பிற பகுதிகளுடன் தொடர்பை துண்டித்தது தலைநகர்
Heavy rain torments coastal T.N.,brings life to a halt in Chennai
Army columns, boats deployed to rescue those stranded
As heavy rains continue to lash Chennai on Wednesday, several parts of the city have come to a standstill.
Dramatic scenes unfolded on the arterial Kotturpuram bridge near Adyar
as the Adyar river has started overflowing. Tamil Nadu Housing Board
Colony, with over 3,000 residents, is completely inundated. A rescue
team is in action, strongly battling the currents of the river. The
Kotturpuram bridge has beeen shut as water has completely entered into
the bridge.
Earlier, water from Chembarambakkam reservoir was discharged at the rate of 20,000 cubic feet per second into the Adyar river.
On Tuesday, torrential rains battered the already-ravaged coastal areas
and bringing life to a grinding halt in Puducherry and Chennai. Heavy
rain in the catchment areas of the Chembarambakkam reservoir (25
centimetres between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday) forced the
authorities to discharge water at the rate of 20,000 cubic feet per
second into the Adyar river. The Chennai Collector issued a flood
warning, asking people living along the river to move to safer places.
Roads were flooded and essential services, including trains and buses,
were suspended in most locations. As several areas were heavily
water-logged, Saidapet bridge has been shut off.
Electricity was turned off in some areas as a precautionary measure.
Most flights from and to Chennai were delayed, and those who landed
found it tough to get out of the place, since south Chennai, on the
fringes of which the airport is located, was among the worst affected. A
holiday was declared for all schools and colleges.
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| Photo: Train service between Tambaram and Beach was disrupted due water logging on the tracks. |
Helpline numbers:
Tree fall, Waterlogging 1913
Sewage overflow 45674567, 22200335
State Emergency 1070
District Emergency 1077
Electricity
1912
Fire & Rescue 101
Boats had to be called out once again to rescue residents caught in
their workplaces and homes, after floodwaters entered the buildings.
Water release from the reservoirs and the breaching of over 60 tanks in
south Chennai contributed to the extensive damage in the city.
Puducherry received 19 cm of rain until 4 p.m. since Monday night, the
highest in recent years. Roads connecting Villupuram and Cuddalore were
inundated. Most lakes and ponds reached the full level. The
Sankaraparani and Then Pennaiyar rivers were in spate. During the
showers after Deepavali, Chennai and Cuddalore districts were literally
marooned after a depression in the Bay of Bengal.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said senior IAS officers were sent to the
affected districts to supervise relief works. Eight teams of the
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Arakkonam, have been sent out
for rescue operations.
Modi speaks to CM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted late night that he had spoken to
Ms. Jayalalithaa and assured her of all assistance during this
“unfortunate hour.”
Heavier rain has been predicted for the areas over the next four days.
The Tamil Nadu government also requisitioned the Army’s help for rescue
and relief.
Two Army Flood Relief Columns are carrying out extensive operations in
Tambaram and Urapakkam areas in Chennai. Experts say there is a clear
danger of infectious diseases breaking out, given the sanitary
conditions. They warn that the State must be prepared and initiate
remedial measures as soon as possible.
Source : http://www.thehindu.com/
