In Tuesday’s trailer, rain leaves most of city flooded

In Tuesday’s trailer, rain leaves most of city flooded

One Woman Electrocuted, More Than 100 Trees Fall

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:25.11.2020

As a precursor of what could come before Cyclone Nivar makes landfall, incessant rain battered the city throughout Tuesday. Several areas were inundated. One woman was electrocuted and more than 100 trees fell since Monday night.

Kousalya, a widow earning a living as a tailor, was electrocuted as she leaned on the compound wall of her house in Peerkankaranai near Tambaram. Hearing her cries, neighbours rushed to her aid and moved her to a hospital where she was declared brought dead. Police investigations revealed that an electrical short circuit in the junction box near the wet compound wall caused the electrocution.

While nearly 100 trees fell in several areas of the city, Greater Chennai Corporation officials said they attended to all complaints immediately and cleared the entire mess. Despite assurances by the civic body that it is well prepared, several areas remained inundated throughout the day, exposing the below average storm water drainage facilities. Even arterial stretches like Poonamallee High Road came under water that reaced up to the shin, making life difficult for motorists and pedestrians. “We did not expect rain to be this heavy today. It is good that the government has declared a public holiday on Wednesday,” said P Vimal, a bank employee.

The corporation was able to pump out water from the subways and other low lying areas, but the rain spells made things tough.

Traffic was halted in places like Meenambakkam, Guindy, Nungambakkam and a few neighbourhoods in Egmore. With most inner lanes water logged, motorists took main roads leading to severe traffic snarls, said a police officer.

As many as 200 personnel from the Armed Reserve have been deployed in 12 police districts and will be kept on standby for any emergencies. They have been equipped with special appliances including life buoys, life jackets, power saws, nylon ropes, searchlights, Aska lights and boats for rescue work. Fishermen in Kasimedu were seen shifting their boats using cranes to a safer location to avoid damage when storm draws nearer to the city.

The situation is expected to become worse over the next couple of days, according to the forecast by weathermen.

As on noon on Tuesday, the cyclone lay centred over the Bay of Bengal, 420 km southeast of Chennai, and is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours and a very severe cyclonic storm in the subsequent 12 hours, said the meterological department. The wind is expected to reach speeds in the range of 120kmph-130 kmph.