CHENNIAI : Torrential rains in Tamil Nadu claimed 20 lives with several regions witnessing record shattering rainfall in the past two days. The onslaught is reported to be the heaviest since 2015, when the state was overwhelmed by widespread flooding.
Amid the downpour a building In Mettupalayam collapsed killing 15 people of four families. including 10 women and two children. Several are feared trapped under the rubble. Rescue efforts are underway.
Authorities have issued Red Alert in the costal districts of Thiruvallur, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai, Thoothukkudi, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli. Another 9 have been put on Orange Alert.
Though rains have eased slightly this morning, several parts of Chennai remain water logged and more than 100 houses in its outskirts remain submerged..
The Chennai district administration declared holiday for schools and colleges on Monday. Examinations at Universities of Anna and Madras have been postponed.
1500 families have been evacuated from flood-hit areas to temporary relief camps.
According to reports around 5000 houses in the low plains of Cuddalore have been marooned.
Famers in the delta district said the heavy onslaught has inundated more than 5000 acres of Samba (a variety of rice) crops. Samba is cultivated majorly in the parts of Nagapattinam, Thiruvaru and Thanjavur districts.
Meanwhile the Central government’s Water Resources department has notified Tamil Nadu Govt about rise in water levels in the state. Major reservoirs of Chembarakkkam, Poondi Sathiyamoorthi, Redhills and Cholavram which dried up in June, now has water inching up to high levels.
MeT has tracked a low-pressure buildup near Lakshwadweep and predicts heavy showers to continue for two days more. Storms have been forecast in coastal stretches and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea.
Meanwhile the Chief Minister E Palaniswami has convened high-level meeting this morning and mulls to seek Centre's reinforncement including NDRF services, if rains were to continue beyond two days now.
