Heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu leads to school closures and rescue operations as floods hit over 300 locations in Chennai. With a public holiday declared, residents are being relocated to relief centres as authorities remain on standby for further evacuations.
Tamil Nadu Government Declares Holiday Amid Heavy Rainfall
The Tamil Nadu government announced a holiday for schools and colleges in four northern districts—Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Chengelpet—on Wednesday, October 16, due to the ongoing heavy rainfall, as per news agency PTI.
Chief Minister MK Stalin's Field Visit
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin was seen sipping tea with sanitation workers after inspecting the rainwater flow in the Otteri Canal in Chennai. His visit, aimed at overseeing relief efforts, emphasized the importance of uninterrupted water drainage during the heavy downpours.
Public Holiday for Government Offices
In addition to educational institutions, all government offices, including Public Undertakings, Corporations, and Boards in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram, will remain closed on Wednesday. However, essential services such as Police, Fire Services, water supply, hospitals, banks, transport, and others will continue as usual.
Flooding Across Chennai
Heavy rain in Chennai caused widespread flooding in over 300 locations, including residential neighborhoods like Ram Nagar in Madippakkam. Public transport services were disrupted, and precautionary measures were taken by residents, with many parking their vehicles on higher ground to avoid flood damage.
Disaster Response and Relief Efforts
The state government has deployed disaster response teams, along with over 200 boats, across vulnerable areas. Over 931 relief centers have been established, with IAS officers monitoring the situation round the clock.
Train and Flight Cancellations
Southern Railway cancelled four express trains, including the Chennai Central-Mysuru Kaveri Express, and several domestic flights were also cancelled at Chennai airport. Train services were diverted or relocated to other stations.
Chief Minister's Commitment to Flood Relief
Chief Minister Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin conducted inspections of flood-affected areas and monitored relief operations. They emphasized the need for a rapid response and hailed the efforts of frontline workers. Udhayanidhi Stalin also visited lakes to ensure smooth rainwater flow.
Heavy Rainfall Expected to Continue
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) upgraded the alert for Chennai from orange to red, forecasting isolated extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also predicted more rain over the next two days, with heavy downpours expected in the four northern districts.
the coming days.
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