Latest spell of rain floods more than 70 locations across Chennai

Chennai

According to a Chennai Corporation official, waterlogging occurred in 75 locations, including Dr Ambedkar Nagar and Ram Nagar in Velachery, some parts in Nanganallur, Santhome High Road and other areas. Stagnant rainwater was pumped out from more than 60 areas and the civic body workers are removing water from the remaining areas.

Several areas in and around Kolathur, including Baba Nagar, Senthil Nagar and Srinivasa Nagar, where the rainwater from the previous rain is yet to recede fully, again witnessed flooding on the roads as more rain continued to pour.

“The main problem is sewage getting mixed with rainwater and entering our homes. Despite complaining to the Corporation several times, we face this every year and no permanent solution is put in place,” said Panneerselvam, a resident of Srinivasa Nagar, Kolathur.

Meanwhile, around 700 complaints were received at the monsoon control room functioning in the Ripon Building. Also, two trees had fallen and the civic body cleared both the trees to resume traffic movement.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash and other senior civic body officials visited the waterlogged areas on Friday morning and inspected the measures taken to remove stagnated water.

As per the civic body data, none of the 22 subways maintained by the Corporation was inundated during the rain. Also, around 300 persons were sheltered at the relief centres.

City and suburbs can brace for more rainfall as Cyclone Burevi, that had weakened into a deep depression, remains stationary. According to weather blogger Pradeep John, the depression will remain in the same place without crossing land for the next 24 hours and will send up bands after bands into north and interior Tamil Nadu. “Delta to Cuddalore will have massive rains while in Chennai, steady rain has turned to drizzles,” he said.

Wind speeds are expected to be between 40 and 50 kmph over Tamil Nadu coast and Gulf of Mannar. Wave height is predicted to reach 4m occasionally between Kolachal and Dhanushkodi and 4.3 m between Kodiakkarai and Pazhaverkadu. In anticipation, a warning has been issued to fishermen to avoid venturing out to sea for the next 24 hours.