First spell of monsoon spells disaster in Chennai

Chennai: The onset of the North East monsoon saw Chennai and the surrounding districts going under a thick sheet of water as the heavy rains, lashing since Monday night, caused widespread panic, particularly after the Indian Meteorological Department issued a red warning and the government ordered the closure of its offices other than those involved in essential services.

Though normal life was not totally disrupted on Tuesday with many shops remaining open and offices functioning as usual, water logging led to chaos on the roads and panic buying triggered by the fear of deluge in the coming days turned the first rain spell of the monsoon into a nightmare, evoking memories of past flood disasters.

Chief Minister M K Stalin was on the road overseeing the relief operations, particularly the clearing of water from inundated roads and other places using high-power motor pumps and tractors and also giant JCB machines. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin had been visiting various flood-prone spots in Chennai since Monday night unmindful of the heavy downpour, along with other Ministers and officials.

Stalin even had a cup of tea with sanitary workers involved in the relief work and the entire official machinery was on its toes to bring succor to the people affected by the incessant downpour, brought by the bay depression that threatened to intensify further, forcing the State government to declare a holiday on Wednesday under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Residents park their cars on Velachery flyover as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an red alert, predicting heavy rains from October 15, in Chennai.  — PTI

Only essential services like the police, fire and rescue services, Corporation and Municipal services, milk distribution, water supply, hospitals, pharmacies, banks, financial institutions, electricity, vegetable supply, transport services including buses, trains, MRTS and Metro Rail, flight services, petrol bunks, hotels and restaurants and disaster management forces would be allowed to function, an official press release said.

Vegetable prices soared by at least 40 per cent as adequate stocks did not reach the wholesale markets and the demand was high due to the prevailing panic buying. Prices of many other commodities were also hiked by vendors anticipating a high demand. Many food items like bread, biscuits, bottled drinks and readymade snacks flew off the shelves in supermarkets and other shops as people geared up to face the challenges of the rainy day ahead on Wednesday.

The Corporation and other government agencies opened relief camps to accommodate people displaced from their houses due to the rains and kept ready water, food and medicines for them.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, who reviewed the working of the State Emergency Control Centre at Ezhilagam, told the media that of the 1500 complaints received through the Corporation emergency numbers, 600 cases had been resolved. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force had been stationed in 25 places in and around Chennai to attend to any emergency situation, he said.

The highest amount of rainfall in the State was recorded at Sivagangai district (13.5 cm) and Virudhunagar district (7 cm) till the morning hours, after which, too, the rains continued all through the day in most parts of the State.