Rains disrupt over 100 trains, many stranded

Rains disrupt over 100 trains, many stranded

Three Major Breeches In Railway Tracks

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 21.11.2021

With tanks overflowing and causing breeches in railway tracks at three locations in the South Central Railway (SCR) zone, SCR authorities have cancelled 42 trains, while nearly 70 other services were impacted. The cycloneinduced heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh over the last 24 hours and its impact on train movement, left many stranded. Also, there are long delays in running of many trains.

“My family needs to travel from Kacheguda to Jhansi (12707) and Jhansi to Siwan (11123). The gap between trains were 2 hours. The train is delayed by 7 hours and still waiting to board train at Warangal station. Please help. Elderparents and children are in stress,” tweeted Jitendar from the twitter handle @jitenda04646583. “Is Rayalaseema Express from Tirupati to Secunderabad running? We are at the Tirupati station and no one is giving correct information. Kindly inform usplease,” tweeted CVNS Vedavyas from the handle @cvnsvedavyas.

Others had to cancel their travel plans too. “Train number 12734 has been cancelled suddenly today without prior notice, even I got text of chart preparation, I booked to and fro ticket for Chirala. I’m at Secunderabad station, need solution right now,” tweeted Arif from the twitter handle @smarif4u taggingrailway authorities.

Among the trains cancelled are Chennai Central-Vijayawada express, Chennai Central- Hyderabad express, Tirunelveli- Bilaspur express, Nagarcoil-Shalimar Gurudev express, Guntur- Vijayawada MEMU and Vijayawada-Chennai Central Janshatabdi express among others.

Meanwhile, three of the major breeches in railway tracks that had disrupted the movement of over 100 trains in the last 24 hours were identified on the Nandalur-Razampet section, Nellore–Padugupadu section and Dharmavaram- Pakalasection of the SCR zone.

“These three locations have had major breeches in railway tracks, due to nearby water tanks overflowing. For normalcy to return, the rains have to stop and the tanks have to stop overflowing. Currently, we are in the process of repairing the tracks,” SCR chief public relations officer Ch Rakesh said.

Passengers wait for their train at the Secunderabad Railway Station on Saturday

More rain forecast for city in next 24 hours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad

: Light to moderate rainfall occurred in several parts of Hyderabad on Saturday. Siddipet, Rangareddy, Medchal, Pedapalli and Nagarkurnool also witnessed brief spells of rain.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad, director K Nagaratna, several places in the city will most likely witness rain in the next 24 hours. “The temperature will be between 22 degrees celsius and 28 degrees celsius in the next 24 hours in Hyderabad,” the director said. In the last 24 hours, the temperature recorded in Hyderabad was between 21.5 degrees Celsius and 27.7 degrees Celsius.

“There will be light to moderate rains in few places in the southern and northern districts of Telangana in the next 48 hours,” said Nagaratna adding that thereafter, there will be a slight reduction in rainfall in the state.

The highest temperature, 32.3 degrees Celsius, was recorded in Adilabad and the lowest, 19.8 was recorded in the Medak.

17 dead, over 100 missing in Andhra flash floods

17 dead, over 100 missing in Andhra flash floods

Sandeep.Raghavan@timesgroup.com

Tirupati: 20.11.2021

At least 17 people were killed after flash floods ravaged the four Rayalaseema districts of Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. The incessant rains started on Thursday evening, triggered by the deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, throwing life out of kilter in the region.

More than 100 persons are feared to have been washed away in separate incidents in the four districts. About seven National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed to lead the search and rescue operations, besides teams from the police, revenue, and fire department. As Cheyyuru river overflowed, water from Annamayya irrigation project spilled over to several mandals in Rajampet assembly constituency and other parts of Kadapa district.

Three AP State Road Transport Corporation buses carrying passengers got stuck in flood waters near Ramapuram in Rajampet mandal. Though fire services rescued most of the passengers and APSRTC staff, 12 persons who were washed away were found dead at various places in Rajampet mandal. Seven bodies were retrieved near Gandluru, three near Rayavaram, while two bodies were found near Mandapalli. About 30 persons from Mandapalli, Akepadu and Nandaluru villages in Rajampet mandal have been washed away and officials have launched a search operation to trace them. Rail and road traffic between Tirupati and Kadapa came to a standstill as floodwaters damaged railway tracks and national highways at several places along the route.

Tirumala caught in massive flood, flights to Tirupati hit

Tirumala caught in massive flood, flights to Tirupati hit

Amaravati\Tirupati:  19.11.2021

Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, was caught in a massive flood of unprecedented scale on Thursday, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded even as a heavy downpour under the influence of a depression in Bay of Bengal battered the temple-town Tirupati and many parts of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.

The four ‘maada streets’ adjoining the main temple on Tirumala Hills, remained flooded, as was the Vaikuntham queue complex (cellar). Darshan of the God was virtually stalled as pilgrims could not venture out because of the inundation. The Japali Anjaneya Swamy temple on Tirumala was inundated and idol of the God submerged. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials made arrangement for free food and accommodation for the pilgrims stranded on the holy hills. TTD executive officer K S Jawahar Reddy declared a holiday on Friday for the office staff in view of the situation. The two ghat roads leading to the Tirumala Hills were closed for traffic following the flood and landslides, official sources said. The pedestrian stairway leading to the temple from Alipiri was also closed down, they said.

The Tirupati International Airport at Renigunta also remained inundated, forcing the authorities to stop landing of incoming aircraft. Airport director S Suresh said two passenger flights scheduled to land in Tirupati from Hyderabad and Bengaluru were asked to return. A scheduled flight from New Delhi has been cancelled due to the prevailing weather condition, he added.

The TTD additional executive officer’s office in Tirumala remained marooned, as were many guest houses. A landslide damaged three rooms at the Narayanagiri guest house complex but nothing untoward has been reported as the rooms were unoccupied, official sources said. Pilgrims staying in other rooms in Narayanagiri and nearby S V guest house were shifted to other accommodation. In Srinivasa Mangapuram near Tirupati, two autos were washed away as the Swarnamukhi rivulet remained in spate. A bridge on the Renigunta-Kadapa highway remained in a precarious position at Anjaneyapuram. A truck was stranded on the bridge, causing a traffic jam on either side, even as police reached the spot for a rescue operation.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy spoke to Chittoor district collector M Hari Narayanan and reviewed the situation. PTI

IN DEEP WATER: Ghat roads of Tirupati which lead to Lord Venkateshwara Temple closed following heavy rainfall in AP’s temple town on Thursday

Heavy rain alert for city, adjoining districts

MORE RAIN

Heavy rain alert for city, adjoining districts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 16.11.2021

The days are likely to be cloudy with light rain in some areas for the next two days. Heavy rain is likely to resume by Wednesday due to the impact of the low pressure intensifying and reaching the south Andhra coast.

A met department forecast for 48 hours said the sky condition will be generally cloudy. Thunderstorms with light to moderate rain are likely to occur in some areas.

A heavy rainfall warning has been issued for Chennai, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet districts in addition to Ranipet, Vellore, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai and delta districts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry and Karaikal for Wednesday.

However, a low pressure that may form over the Arabian sea in the next 24 hours may prevent further intensification of the low pressure that is currently over Andaman Sea, said an IMD report.

This may mean that the likelihood of the city receiving good rain on the weekend after it crosses the coast is low.

The low pressure in Andaman Sea is likely to move northwest and become well marked during the next 48 hours.

Thereafter it is likely to move further and reach near south Andhra Pradesh – north Tamil Nadu coasts on Thursday.

"Based on Tuesday’s analysis, the possibility of further intensification of the system appears to be low, mainly owing to the enhanced likelihood of formation of another low pressure area over east-central Arabian Sea off south Maharashtra coast during next 24 hours."

An east-west shear zone runs from southeast Arabian sea to southwest Bay of Bengal across South Karnataka, north Kerala and north Tamilnadu.

On Tuesday, Meenambakkam recorded 1mm rain since morning while the core city received some drizzle. The outer areas of the city like OMR received 2cm rain while Pallikaranai got 1cm on Monday night.

Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai areas received 12cm heavy rain of 12cm rain and Cuddalore recorded 7cm rain.

The low pressure in the Andaman Sea is likely to move northwest and become well marked during the next 48 hours, bringing rain to the city, IMD said in a report

Light rain for city as low pressure intensifies over sea

Light rain for city as low pressure intensifies over sea

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.11.2021

Light to moderate rain has been forecast for the city as a low pressure that has formed over south Andaman sea is intensifying.

A forecast for the city for the next 48 hours said the sky condition will be partly cloudy. Light/moderate rain is likely to occur in some areas. There may also be heavy rain at isolated places in Kancheepuram and Chengalpet districts.

A report by the met department said that the low pressure area over central Andaman sea with associated cyclonic circulation is still intensifying. It is likely to move and become wellmarked over north Andaman Sea and southeast Bay of Bengal on Monday. The low pressure is likely to move and concentrate into depression and reach near south Andhra coast by Thursday.

Experts say that if it becomes a cyclone, it may hit Andhra coast and will weaken into a low pressure to bring heavy rain to north Tamil Nadu by Friday or Saturday.

Though the city may get only light rain, the met department has forecast heavy rainfall in isolated places in Chengalpet and Kancheepuram districts on Monday.

The maximum and minimum temperature is likely to be around 31 ˚C and 25 ˚C respectively for the next two days. The city and suburbs did not experience rain on Saturday.

Other parts of the state will continue to get heavy rain. Heavy rain is forecast at isolated places in Erode, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Coimbatore, Salem, Dharmapuri, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Mayiladuthurai.

Wet spell set to subside from today

Wet spell set to subside from today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

12.11.2021

There could finally be some respite from the downpour as the IMD has said the wet spell will subside from Friday.

IMD has forecast light to moderate rain for the next two days over the city. But the break may not be for too long, as a fresh low pressure area is likely to form over south Andaman sea around November 13. On Thursday, the depression over the Bay crossed near Chennai coast between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

“From Friday onwards, there are chances of reduction in rainfall,” said S Balachandran, deputy director general, IMD.

For the next 48 hours, IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall with cloudy skies in the city and suburbs. Isolated places over Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Kanyakumari districts may receive thunderstorms with heavy rain on Friday.

Balachandran said Tamil Nadu recorded 40cm rainfall this northeast monsoon season beginning October 1 against a normal of 26cm. Chennai registered 74cm against a normal of 42cm, recording a 77% surplus rain.

IMD later tweeted, “A fresh low pressure area is likely to form over south Andaman sea and neighbourhood around November 13. It is likely to move westnorthwestwards and become more marked during the subsequent 48 hours.” But weather enthusiasts said there are chances for the system to skip Chennai and move up in latitude towards Andhra Pradesh.

CHENNAI SHOWS HOW NOT TO MANAGE MONSOON

CHENNAI SHOWS HOW NOT TO MANAGE MONSOON

Corparation Handled Rain Damage Better This Time, Say Experts; Residents Say No

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

12.11.2021

Soon after the December 2015 floods, the blame for the devastation caused was placed on encroachments in water bodies, blocks in major canals, lack of storm water drains in many places and the absence of data on critical areas.

Nearly six years later, after heavy rain has caused almost similar destruction, the question is whether Greater Chennai Corporation was better prepared to deal with the crisis. Experts say the city administration did better, but residents, who had to bear the brunt of nature’s fury, feel otherwise.

They say the corporation built drains over 900km since 2018, but when it mattered, some were blocked and some connected to those on elevated roads such as near Inner Ring Road in North Chennai didn’t work. In the central region, the dumping of debris for the Mambalam canal improvement work just ahead of the monsoon led to a disaster, while in the south lakes filled during the southwest monsoon overflowed, flooding homes and entire localities.

Since May, a senior corporation official told TOI, a lot of garbage and debris was removed from road sides and slum. The civic body de-silted 900km of the 2,500km of drains, de-silted 30,000 catchpits. New drains were constructed in Velachery, Nandanam and other areas and a response system was also put in place. This, he claimed, helped keep water away from major most bus route roads.

But, residents say, several localities came under 3-5 feet of water.

KK Nagar, pockets of Alwarpet, Velachery, Ashok Nagar, Kilpauk, Subramania Puram and Aziz Nagar in Kodambakkam, Pulianthope, Broadway, Choolai and Madipakkam were all declared high risk in 2019 and details of how the drains didn’t have enough carrying capacity was submitted to the civic body by experts. Yet, it was in these areas that drain work didn’t take place in the last five years. “We had submitted the proposals. It will be completed in a year,” said an official.

Another reason for the flooding, officials said, was that the November 7 rain had already inundated major areas. This week’s rain only caused more havoc.

M V Ramanamoorthy, director of National Centre for Coastal Research, said there was a lot of improvement in the system. “In 2015, we were not prepared for heavy rain. Earlier, we used to have distributed rainfall over two months. Now, the entire rainfall is received within a few days. It is difficult for any city to accommodate this much water. The administration has done a lot by clearing many bottlenecks. However, a comprehensive plan for the entire city is needed as in the future more such events are likely to take place often,” he said.

NO MERCY: People walk past a flooded stretch at Vijayaraghavapuram in T Nagar on Thursday

ARE WE SAFE : A dog looks over a flooded road in Semmanchery on Thursday

NET EFFECT : A huge tree got uprooted at Saligramam on Thursday

2015, 2021, WHAT’S NEXT?

One important lesson learned this year is that drains require maintenance throughout the year and not just ahead of monsoon

P Sajeevan | PERUNGUDI RESIDENT

Velachery, Madipakkam inundated for 2nd time this week

Velachery, Madipakkam inundated for 2nd time this week

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.11.2021

The respite from Sunday’s rains was shortlived for residents of several neighbourhoods in Velachery, suburban Madipakkam, Puzhuthivakkam, Adambakkam and surrounding areas as they once again woke up to flooded streets on Thursday. Water entered the ground floor of several houses in low lying areas.

While main roads were not entirely flooded, some stretches along Madipakkam Main Road, Sabari Salai and Velachery Main Road had more than 4ft of water, making commuting in vehicles difficult.

Traffic movement was cut off on a small stretch of Puzhuthivakkam Main Road near the Corporation Zone 14 office and cars from low lying areas in Madipakkam and Velachery were back on the flyover on Thursday.

Interior roads and low-lying residential neighbourhoods bore the brunt of the rain. In Velachery, Ram Nagar, AGS Colony, Dhandeeswaram, Tansi Nagar, Vijayanagar, Selva Nagar, Bhuvaneswari Nagar were completely inundated.

“Some of us took refuge in neighbour’s houses on the first floor. Authorities had stationed boats and rescued the elderly and those willing to move to safety,” said K Ramanathan of AGS Colony.

Residents of Otteri Salai, Nethaji Street and New India Colony Road in Puzhuthivakkam and Ram Nagar (north) in Madipakkam were among the worst affected as water entered the ground floor of several homes. “Authorities did a poor job by not overseeing contractors, who take up storm water drain work. The drains were not deep enough and hence their water carrying capacity was reduced, leading to flooding. There has to be some kind of accountability,” said M Patel, a software engineer who stays in Otteri Salai.

Officials said water from most areas was diverted to nearby waterbodies —Madipakkam lake and Puzhuthivakkam lake, but the houses which are below the road level were inundated. “The problem in these areas is that storm water drains from several areas are diverted through these channels to drain into Pallikaranai marsh. In case of heavy rain, the capacity of the drain is exceeded and water starts seeping out from manholes too,” an official with zone 14 said.

No response on helplines a concern

No response on helplines a concern

Saranya.Chakrapani@timesgroup.com

12.11.2021

Days after the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) released helpline numbers to reach people in inundated neighbourhoods, and appointed senior IAS officers to oversee relief work, complaints are cropping up on how calls are not being followed up on, or responded to.

Rama Prabhakar, a resident of Mandaiveli’s Srinivasan Street, woke up to almost three feet of water flooding the road outside her home on Thursday. It entered the ground floor of their apartment in no time, ruining furniture and electronics devices. The family says they lodged a complaint on GCC’s Namma Chennai app in the morning and called their helpline 1913 soon after that. “They answered our calls and acknowledged our complaint, but didn’t follow up.

“By afternoon, their lines had gone busy and we had to pump out the water ourselves, when the rains subsided,” says Rama.

Several residents also alleged that they were asked to wait until the rain subsided before water could be pumped out of their homes. Angry residents in neighbourhoods like Korattur and Shanmugam Pillai Street in Mylapore said that their homes were inundated with sewage-contaminated rainwater and no action was taken despite persistent calls to the GCC helpline. Yamini Thirumaran, a resident of Perumal Mudali Street in Royapettah said that she had shared photos of an uninhabited bungalow’s compound wall that had broken into their premises and a large broken tree branch that was precariously hanging over their roof, with the local IAS officer, but never heard back. “When we called 1913, our complaint was brushed off,” she said. While the ‘100’ Police helpline too remained busy for most part of the day, in neighbourhoods like Teynampet and parts of south Chennai like Sholinganallur, GCC and supervising officials were appreciated for being prompt with complaints.

The Tangedco helpline 9498794987 too came under attack on Thursday, after residents from various parts of the city alleged that they were unable to reach them throughout the day.

Deputy Commissioner of Education, D Sneha, from the control room, said inundation around distribution transformers prevented them from restoring power in some neighbourhoods. She added that these areas are being prioritised.

RESIDENTS SAID WHEN THEY CALLED HELPLINES, THEY WERE ASKED TO WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN SUBSIDED

Cab rates up as public transport crippled

Cab rates up as public transport crippled

Ram Sundaram & Ayyappan V | TNN

12.11.2021

Demand for recovery and towing vehicles was high on Thursday as several vehicles got stuck in water-logged areas across the city.

“We received close to 25 rescue calls. But we are able to attend only half of them because of the excess rain. Majority of the calls were from Kodambakkam, Vadapalani, Arumbakkam and Taramani areas,” said S Renjith Kumar from OMR Towing Services in Perungudi. It cost ₹1,600 to ₹2,500 to recover a car.

Not just private vehicles, such agencies were instrumental in recovering even autos and taxis, which were the only form urban commute available in interior areas as public transportation crippled.

In some places, autos and cabs charged up to ₹900 for 10-km trips. “We did not have an option as not many were willing to enter our area,” said Inbarajan, a resident of Perambur.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai has suspended services of close to 1,000 buses, according to official data.

MTC managed to operate 1,600 buses to help those leaving for work. But nearly threefourths among them were unable to complete the trips on time and come gor.

Long-distance buses too struggled to reach Chennai as parts of Madurantakam and Tambaram (along Chennai-Trichy highway) got inundated. So, buses had to wait for rain and wind speed to reduce for a safer commute. It extended travel time by at least 90 to 120 minutes on Thursday afternoon.

As far as trains were concerned, suburban services were delayed after tracks got flooded near Ambattur and Avadi along the Chennai-Thiruvallur route. However, railways cancelled only three services and operated the rest of the trains. But many of the services on Tambaram and Gummidipoondi route were delayed.

The Basin Bridge yard was flooded making it difficult for the staff to check trains and get them ready for service from Central. Long-distance express trains were operated as per schedule. As more rain is forecast, railways will operate suburban services on Sunday’s schedule on Friday.

Depression leaves city bruised; low-pressure likely tomorrow

Depression leaves city bruised; low-pressure likely tomorrow

14 Dead Across TN; Several Core City Areas Flooded

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.11.2021

The unrelenting showers that battered the city and northern regions of Tamil Nadu all through the night on Thursday slowed down later in the day as the depression over the Bay of Bengal crossed the coast near Chennai by evening.

The heavy rain and release of surplus water from dams, about 13,000 cusecs, has transformed several areas in the city into a water body with streets swirling with deluge and trash.

While at least 14 people were killed in rain-related incidents in the state so far, more than 1,000 tenements, mostly huts, suffered damage across Tamil Nadu.

IMD has forecast a new lowpressure over the south Andaman Sea on November 13 (Saturday). It will move northwest and become more marked around Monday. “The depression crossed the north Tamil Nadu coast close to Chennai between 5.30pm and 6.30pm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 45-55kmph gusting to 65kmph. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and weaken gradually into a well-marked low pressure area on Friday morning,” said S Balachandran, DDG, IMD and added that the red alert for Chennai and neighbouring districts has been withdrawn.

The overnight rain left streets flooded in T Nagar, K K Nagar, Alwarpet, Velachery, and OMR, disrupted power supply, and uprooted 267 trees. On Thursday, 523 locations were water logged but only 68 could be cleared. Two roads, R K Mutt road in Mandaveli and Thirumalaipillai road in T Nagar, have caved in. The authorities used 55 boats to rescue the stranded and 570 motor pumps were used to pump out water. Eight subways still remain flooded.

Tambaram registered 23cm, Ennore 21cm, Nungambakkam 16cm and Meenambakkam 14cm. This was the second big spell after last weekend when Nungambakkam registered a record 22cm and Meenambakkam 11cm.

Depression to cross north TN on Thursday, state on edge

Depression to cross north TN on Thursday, state on edge

With rainfall of over 20 cm forecast for capital, people urged to stay safe indoors

Published: 11th November 2021 03:15 AM 

(Photo | P Jawahar, EPS)

By SV Krishna Chaitanya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: As rains continued in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, two people, including a four-year-old, died in a wall collapse in Thanjavur district, and 55,000 hectares of agricultural fields went underwater. The showers intensifed at night as a well-marked low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression.

Located in the southwest Bay about 430 km from Chennai, it is very likely to near the north TN coast by Thursday morning. It is expected to cross north TN and the adjoining south Andhra coasts between Karaikal and Sriharikota near the north of Puducherry the same evening.

With extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm), forecast in and around Chennai from Wednesday night to Thursday afternoon, the regional meteorological centre issued a red alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvanamalai, Kallakurichi, Salem and Tirupattur. Surface winds reaching 30 kmph are also likely over Chennai and its suburbs during the day.

Revenue Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said all arrangements were made and people shouldn’t step outdoors unnecessarily. In the 24 hours ending 8.30 am Wednesday, Nagapattinam recorded a whopping 310 mm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal (290 mm). Several observatories clocked over 250 mm. However, through Wednesday, rainfall reduced with Ennore Port receiving 45 mm, followed by Cheyyur 38 mm and Chennai AWS 33.5 mm. Nonetheless, Ashok Nagar, T Nagar, Pulianthope and West Mambalam in Chennai remained inundated for the fourth day.

Statewide, 3,691 irrigation tanks are brimming, while in Madurai, a third flood alert was issued as the flow in the Vaigai reached 5,000 cusecs. Another low-pressure area is likely to form in the South Andaman Sea around November 13.

Traffic diversion over rain-related issues

Traffic diversion over rain-related issues

Chennai:11.11.2021

The city police have diverted traffic in several areas due to rain-related issues. On MRH Road from Manjampakkam rountana towards Red Hills, as the water is overflowing from Retteri lake and running through MRH Road, anticipating damage, one side of the road has been closed and the traffic is maintained on the other side. On Thirumalai Pillai Road, in front of Kamarajar Illam, due to a road cave-in, vehicles are not permitted towards Valluvarkottam junction from Vani Mahal junction. Police said that traffic is also diverted at Vani Mahal-Penz park junction. TNN

Traffic hit on key road in Perambur

Traffic hit on key road in Perambur

Chennai:11.11.2021

Traffic was disrupted on Perambur Barracks Road as the road cut near Vani Vasanthi theatre left motorists at high risk with many vehicles stuck in potholes and trenches dug up to drain the rainwater.

Rainwater remained stagnated on Demellows Road, Decastor Road restricting movement of bikes and light motor vehicles. This road connecting Pulianthope and Basin Bridge-Washermenpet. Waterlogged Pattalam road also prevented smaller vehicles to ply through. Some residents have dug up across the road near the Conran Smith Road-Perambur Barracks Road junction. TNN

Chennai reels under heavy rain, depression to cross coast today

Chennai reels under heavy rain, depression to cross coast today

Landfall Likely Near North Of Puducherry

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:`11.11.2021

Heavy rain that started battering the city and its suburbs late on Wednesday may continue on Thursday as the depression that has intensified over the Bay of Bengal is likely to cross the coast close to north of Puducherry and south of Andhra on Thursday evening. As of late Wednesday, the depression was around 430km east-southeast of Chennai and 420km east-southeast of Puducherry.

Several areas in Chennai continued to be inundated by rain water on Wednesday.

N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD, said the system is likely to bring thunderstorms with very to very heavy rain in a few places and isolated extremely heavy rain in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpet. “There will be more rain than wind. Surface winds on land close to the coast will be at 30kmph and there won’t be much wind in the interior areas. After it crosses the coast, it will weaken,” Puviarasan said.

The official said the intensity of rainfall in the interior districts of Tamil Nadu may be less and alerts issued for Puducherry, Cuddalore and delta districts have been withdrawn as chances of heavy rainfall in these districts are low. “Unlike cyclones, which have a centre, a depression doesn’t have one. The location of its crossing changes according to cloud formation,” he added. As on Wednesday, around 30 locations remained flooded, and the civic body has sanctioned ₹20 lakh for all 200 wards to buy food for people and arrange machinery for flood relief.

Red alert for Chennai, coastal dists; 2-day leave for schools and colleges

Red alert for Chennai, coastal dists; 2-day leave for schools and colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.11.2021

The low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal may soon concentrate into a depression and bring widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu for the next few days, the Meteorological department said on Tuesday, issuing red alert for Chennai and other coastal districts of the state.

The department has sounded red alert for Chennai on Thursday, and for one more day for the other coastal districts.

The government has declared holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai districts on Wednesday and Thursday.

While Nungambakkam received 11.1mm rainfall, airport recorded 1.9mm rain on Tuesday.

The weather system is likely to bring extremely heavy rainfall on Wednesday at isolated places over delta districts, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Puducherry and Karaikal. On Thursday, extremely heavy rain may be recorded in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengelpettu, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai. “Rainfall will be mostly in the night. After November 11, rain will reduce significantly,” said IMD area cyclone warning centre director N Puviarasan. Many interior and western districts may also receive heavy to very heavy spells for two days.

Revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran on Tuesday said five people died in rain-related incidents in Theni, Trichy, Madurai and Chennai districts. At least 64 cattle deaths were reported across the state, and 538 huts and 129 houses were damaged.

In Chennai, 1,723 people have been moved to 22 relief centres and 147 more centres have been kept ready. More than 11.49 lakh food packets have been given away to people across the city.

Poondi, Puzhal, Cholavaram, and Chembarambakkam lakes have almost reached their full capacity.

“Steps have been taken to release surplus water taking into consideration the inflow and the safety of dams,” water resources minister Duraimurugan said.

Rain lets up, but woes of Chennai continue

Rain lets up, but woes of Chennai continue

HC cracks the whip over inundation

10/11/2021

Bounteous yield: Residents fishing in Korattur Lake that overflowed on Tuesday.M. VEDHANThe Hindu

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Chennai had some respite from the rain on Tuesday when inundation cleared up in a few areas. But people were stranded and in need of help at other places where the stagnant water was yet to be drained. Residents are approaching the next couple of days with fear as heavy rain has been forecast.

The Madras High Court warned the Chennai Corporation that it would take up a suo motu public interest litigation petition on the travails of residents due to waterlogging, if the situation did not improve by Friday. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said action would be taken against the contractors implementing Smart City.

In the 24 hours till 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Chennai recorded 3.2 cm of rain. The weather office has issued a red alert in Chennai for Wednesday and Thursday as the low-pressure area that had formed on Monday is likely to turn into a depression.

The government announced a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai on November 10 and 11. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Pudukottai, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Madurai, Dindigul and Virudhunagar districts on November 10. Schools in Tiruchi and Ramanathapuram will be closed on November 10. The toll in the rain has risen to five and over 500 huts have been damaged.

Public transport operated in reduced numbers due to poor patronage

Public transport operated in reduced numbers due to poor patronage

10/11/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

Public transport in the city was operated with limited strength taking into consideration the reduced footfalls due to heavy rain. However commuters reaching the city from far flung western localities of Tiruttani and Arakkonam, had a tough time, because of the fewer train services.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has been operating reduced number of buses for the past two days. The MTC, which would normally operate nearly 3,250 buses on regular days, has been operating 2,200 to 2,500 buses in the past two days.

A senior official said since Sunday around 2,200 to 2,500 buses are being operated because of the announcement of holidays for schools and colleges and poor commuter population on several routes.

Buses are operated only based on the needs of particular routes.

Similarly, Chennai division of the Southern Railway, which started truncated operation of train services from Monday evening, operated Sunday schedule of train services on Tuesday also citing water stagnation and poor patronage.

The operation of reduced number of train services caused severe hardship to the working population travelling from the neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur and Vellore, as a large number of commuters depended on train services from Tiruttani and Arakkonam.

Social activist A. Roy Rozario, in a representation sent to the Chennai Divisional Railway Manager, highlighted the hardships faced by hundreds of commuters from Arakkonam, Tiruttani and Tiruvallur.

The Southern Railway on Tuesday has announced more stoppages for the fast line proceeding towards Arakkonam and Tiruttani effective from Friday.

Overflowing lakes inundate Avadi, Tambaram

Overflowing lakes inundate Avadi, Tambaram

Residents Demand Deployment Of Special Officers To Drain Out Water From Their Areas

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 09.11.2021

Several areas in the newly formed corporations outside the city limits -- Avadi and Tambaram -- have been inundated with rainwater flooding the streets and entering homes for the second day on Monday.

Residents demand that special officers should be allotted to their neighbourhoods too to ensure that the stagnated water is drained off as the authorities are struggling to handle waterlogging with the limited resources. In the southern suburbs, residents and associations have also been chipping in to drain out water from many areas.

Though the rain intensityhas lessened, water did not drain off in many neighbourhoods because lakes and tanks are overflowing. The upgrade to Corporation exists only on paper and residents are left in lurch in times like flood.

In Ganapathy colony in Kannadapalayam, water overflowing from the Kovilpadagai tank has left the entire area flooded.

“The situation is the same every year. It was worse in 2015. But this time with just one night’s rain, the area is flooded and with forecasts of more rain, it is scary. People cannot venture out in case of emergency as all streets are flooded,” said K J Jeyan, a resident. On Monday, Tiruvallur district collector, Dairy development minister SM Nasar visited the areas.

Residents of Chrompet and Pallavaram near GST road are suffering after a day of intense rain has left roads flooded. Water from the previous day's rain remained in Postal Nagar, Zamin Royapettah, new colony for most part of the day. The authorities used multiple pumps to drain out the water.

However, neighbourhoods of Hasthinapuram like Jain Nagar, Maruthi Nagar, AK Nagar, AGS Colony and nearby areas of had stagnant water on the streets because water from Hastinapuram lake had flooded the area.

MAROONED: Kovil Padagai Tank water flows onto Kannadapalayam Main Road in Avadi; officials inspect waterlogged areas in Chromepet

CITY STAYS IN WITH FINGERS CROSSED

CITY STAYS IN WITH FINGERS CROSSED

Thunderstorms With Heavy Rain Forecast For City, TN Districts on November 10, 11

U.Tejonmayam@timesgroup.com

09.11.2021

The rain over the weekend was only the prelude. India Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for Tuesday (November 9) forecasting thunderstorms with heavy rain in the city and many districts triggered by a low pressure system.

The Nungambakkam weather station (city), with 141cm so far this year, has already surpassed its annual normal rainfall of 140cm, while Meenambakkam (132cm so far) is inching towards its quota of 138cm.

The rain forecast for November 9 may increase on November 10 and 11 with heavy to very heavy and isolated extremely heavy spells.

The city, private forecasters said, may get a break from heavy rain on November 9 before it picks up pace on November 10 and continues through November 11. For the next 48 hours, thunderstorms with moderate rain, heavy at times have been forecast over some city areas and the suburbs with the skies remaining generally cloudy. Maximum and minimum temperature will be around 26 degrees C and 24 degrees C.

“The system is approaching the coast as a depression,” said N Puviarasan, director of IMD’s Area Cyclone Warning Centre.

The low pressure area is likely to form under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea extending up to 5.8km above mean sea level. “It is likely to move west-northwestwards, concentrate into a depression and reach north Tamil Nadu coast by November 11 early morning,” IMD said.

IMD has forecast rain of varied intensity over some southern, interior and delta districts on November 9. Intensity may increase on November 10 and 11 with rainfall ranging from extremely heavy to heavy over many parts of the state including Chennai and neighbouring districts.

On Monday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 14.5mm and 14.8mm till 7.30pm. The northeast monsoon has so far left 632.2mm and 520.4mm in the two stations since October 1, an excess of 226.4mm and 116.9mm. Tamil Nadu recorded 346.1mm against a normal of 241.2mm in the same period. Chennai subdivision registered 547.9mm against 392.5mm (40% excess), while neighbouring Kanchipuram recorded 17%, Tiruvallur 31% and Chengalpet 34% excess.

Mahesh Palawat, Skymet Weather chief meteorologist, tweeted that Chennai got 415mm between November 1 and 8, against the average of 374.4mm for November, the wettest for Chennai.

Blogger Pradeep John said models showed the system may move a few hundred kilometres into the land before losing strength. “There won’t be any break in rainfall. We will continue to receive rain even after the system fizzles out because of weak northeasterly winds. But they may be mostly light spells,” an IMD official said.