CHENNAI: Non-stop rains since Monday night has made lives miserable for the residents of Chennai city, as rain waters accumulated all along the roads causing a complete disruption of normal life in Chennai and its surroundings.
Rescue operations were being undertaken on a war-footing. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has officially requested for help from the Indian army.
All flight operations in Chennai airport were suspended due to the unfavourable run way condition. Airport officials said that a flight which had left for Colombo has returned back.
Twelve of the trains leaving from Chennai railway station were cancelled due to water over-flowing on the tracks in some places. Another ten trains were diverted from coming to Chennai.
Climatologists said that the rains have broken a 100-year old record of highest rain fall in Chennai, causing floods in the areas of Vadapalani, Valasaravakkam and Nandamvakkam. The nearby lakes in these areas were reported to be overflowing into the city resulting in a huge traffic, along the IT corridor.
The death toll has reached to 188 due to the rain related incidents. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has ordered the schools to postpone the conductance of Half Yearly Examinations to the next month, which were slated to be held in the month of December.
The Indian Meteorological department has predicted a heavy to more-heavy levels of rain in the coming four days, adding to the woes of Chennai residents.
Most of the affected regions around Chennai, have been the victims of heavy rains earlier and the latest development have landed them in deep troubles. The heavy rains on Tuesday, had disrupted the functioning of Train and Bus services, making it hard for common man.
CM Jayalalithaa has ordered its ministers to monitor the rescue operations 24/7, while requesting for additional help from NDRF and neighbours Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
