• By Nidhi Giri
  • Sun, 01 Dec 2024 04:18 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Tamil Nadu Weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has put Chennai, Mayiladuthurai and other nearby districts on a red alert for extremely heavy rain on Sunday. Puducherry has been grappling with intense rainfall over the past two days as Cyclone Fengal, the northeast monsoon’s first cyclone, unleashed its fury across the city. Puducherry received 48.4 cm rainfall in 24 hours, the highest in three decades. Fallen trees caused by Cyclone Fengal blocked key roads in Puducherry, adding to the challenges of flood-hit residents and stranding commuters. Public transport was paralysed in the city as buses and autos were stranded, leaving passengers in long queues. Office-goers reported being stuck in traffic for hours due to blocked roads. Additionally, a power cut was witnessed for over 12 hours. Power outages began at 10 pm on Saturday and partial restoration is expected by Sunday night.

The Army was called for flood rescue in Puducherry. Troops from the Chennai Garrison Battalion under the Dakshin Bharat Area were called in by the District Collector of Puducherry in the early hours of December 1, to assist with rescue efforts in flooded areas.

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Heavy Rain And Waterlogging

On a stormy Saturday, Chennai received 84.86 mm of rainfall between 8 am and 8 pm. The relentless downpour caused waterlogging in 553 locations, of which water has been drained in only 172 spots using 1,686 motor pumps. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is working tirelessly to bring relief to the remaining 381 waterlogged pockets. Residents have expressed frustration over the city’s stormwater drain (SWD) system, which they say has failed to manage the rainwater efficiently. In areas like Velachery, water is reversing from drains into residential streets due to obstructions caused by debris and ongoing construction.

Challenges in Velachery

In Velachery, the GCC is creating a pond next to the six-vent culvert, which channels excess rainwater into the sea. However, residents claim that this pond is obstructing water flow and causing mass stagnation.

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Chennai Rain: How Long Will The Downpour Continue?

The city is likely to see heavy to very heavy rain on December 1, with light rainfall predicted for the following days. The GCC has assured residents of continued efforts to tackle the challenges, but for many, the monsoon has already brought more despair than relief.