Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting interim relief of ₹5,060 crore for flood mitigation efforts in the state. In Delhi, DMK MPs T.R. Baalu and Tiruchi N. Siva called on the Union government to dispatch a team to assess the damage.
Chennai witnessed the use of boats and helicopters in rescue operations as widespread waterlogging, especially in areas like Old Mahabalipuram Road and newly-developed localities in South Chennai, compelled residents to seek refuge on higher floors without access to food.
Concerned about potential worsening flood conditions due to high tides obstructing drainage, the Chief Minister inspected the water flow into the Bay of Bengal. He also visited his Kolathur constituency in North Chennai to distribute relief materials.
Despite Cyclone Michaung wreaking havoc two days earlier, normalcy remained elusive in much of Chennai, fuelling public frustration. Protests erupted in various locations, targeting the mayor's houses, councilors, ministers, and MLAs. A massive demonstration in north Chennai caused a three-hour traffic snarl, aggravating the existing difficulties posed by flooding and potholes.
The lack of electricity, compounding the distress caused by waterlogged homes and streets, drew ire towards the electricity department. Residents visited offices and made persistent calls, prompting the electricity minister, Thangam Thennarasu, to announce a phased restoration of power, ruling out leakages due to waterlogging.
Acknowledging the challenging situation, the government extended the holiday for schools and colleges to Thursday. Additionally, several private companies decided to resume office operations only the following Monday, citing issues with erratic internet services.
