Stalin takes stock as three more deaths reported
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin meeting people sheltered at Chennai High School in Yanagauni. Photo:@TNDIPRNEWS / twitter Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin inspected areas affected by Cyclone Michaung on the morning of December 5, including the rain relief camp in Kannapar Thital, Chennai.
There are 162 relief centres, of which 43 are operational, accommodating 2,477 Chennai residents. Twenty kitchens are providing food and the government is ensuring the availability and quality of essential items for those in the relief camps.
CM Stalin stated earlier: “We have reduced/prevented loss of life to a great extent due to systematic improvements and comprehensive structural preparations. Rescue and relief work is going on at a wartime pace.”
Adding to the five deaths reported on December 4, three more occurred on December 5. Dharath (M/53 years) died from a compound wall collapse at Ellaiamman Boyd Street. Sehlim (M/50) was found dead in rainwater inside a school campus and Mirajul Islam (M/19) of Assam, residing at Kotturpuram Corporation School relief Centre, passed away due to epilepsy, as reported by the police.
Traffic has been halted on Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road due to water release from Puzhal Lake, as per police statements on December 5.
The police also noted numerous families, including pregnant women, children and senior citizens, were rescued from various areas affected by Cyclone Michaung’s havoc. About 17 subways including Ganesapuram Subway, Gengureddy Subway, Sembium (Perambur), Villivakkam and Duraisamy Subway are closed due to waterlogging as informed by the police. Fallen trees were cleared at 58 locations in the GCP limit.
To aid in mitigation efforts, 5,000 workers from other districts were deployed to Chennai. The Chief Secretary and other top officials are monitoring operations at the Integrated Command & Control Center. The Greater Chennai Corporation is focusing on prioritising rescue operations, providing food to those in relief centres, and clearing roads.
The bridge in the Nerkundram area is surrounded by water overflow from the Cooum river. Due to water release from Chembarambakkam Lake, Madha Engineering College near Chembarambakkam was partially submerged.
Public life in Chennai was severely affected as heavy rains inundated various parts of the city, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar government multispecialty hospital and other low-lying areas.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.