Nandanam, Mylapore, Velacherry, Chengalpattu and Thiruvallur severely innundated as heavy rains batter Greater Chennai
DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin wades through water in Chennai on December 3 night. Photo: @Udhaystalin / X Cyclone Michaung, which is expected to make landfall on December 5 between Machilipatnam and Nellore on the Andhra Pradesh coast, has caused havoc in Chennai and northern Tamil Nadu.
The region has been witnessing heavy rainfall since the evening of December 3. Several towns and localities are now submerged in knee-deep water.
On December 4 morning, the rains became heavier, and within a few minutes, locations across Greater Chennai like Nandanam, Mylapore, Velacherry, Chengalpattu and Thiruvallur had gone underwater up to knee level.
The Adyar river has started overflowing, dunking the streets in the catchment areas of Chennai.
The southern megapolis is two feet below sea level. The neighbourhood of Mylapore, just a few metres away from Marina Beach, experienced extensive flooding. Water on city streets started rising at 8 am on December 4 and showed no signs of receding as the drains were choked with municipal waste and debris.
In Velacherry — also inside the core city area — has been extensively flooded. Pradeep Rao, a resident of Velacherry, stated that water entered his house and has contaminated the water in his well and sump. He has not received any water from the public tap water connection as the main water connection — a six-inch pipeline — has severed due to the impact of soil movement.
Nandanam, one of the uptown areas of Chennai which has prime hospitality tourism, also experienced flooding and inundation. Boutique owner Samashivan said the ground floor of his shop is totally flooded. He has shifted his wares to the first floor. Since much of the flooding happened during the night, a few things like clothes and cosmetics have been left drenched and he has suffered some losses due to the flooding.
Flights from Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata to Chennai have been cancelled. International flights scheduled to land at Chennai till 5 pm on December 4, have been diverted to either Bengaluru or Hyderabad.
Airport authorities said the airport was closed till 11.30 am but could not reopen it till 1 pm. They apprehend that it might not be possible to open the airport for the entire day.
Metro and suburban railway services have been suspended. Intra-city bus services run by Cheran Transport Corporation (CTC) have been suspended for the day, according to CTC authorities. The North Chennai autorickshaw owners and drivers association has also advised their members to suspend operations for the day.
Firms have allowed their employees to work from home. Schools, colleges and professional institutions in Chennai have been shut off in
According to the latest bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at 12 noon, Cyclone Michaung is located just 90 kilometres from Chennai and is likely to move in a northerly direction.
“It has moved at 10 kilometres per hour in the last six hours. It is expected to move in a west-northwest direction and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by forenoon today. It may then move parallel to north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh and is expected to cross between Nellore and Machilipatnam by December 5 forenoon,” IMD said.
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.