Cyclone LIVE: Rain subsides in Chennai; cyclone to make landfall tomorrow
The Tamil Nadu government says disaster response force teams are on standby in 26 locations in Chennai and elsewhere.
Incessant rain ceased a bit on Wednesday (October 16) in most parts of northern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, bringing respite to people, but many areas across the city are still flooded.
The Tamil Nadu government said that disaster response force teams are on standby in 26 locations in Chennai and nearby districts. The Greater Chennai Corporation has housed people living in low-lying areas in relief centres, and all support, including food, is being extended to them.
The IMD said the depression over the Bay of Bengal is now about 360 km east-southeast of Chennai, 390 km east of Puducherry and 450 km southeast of Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.
"It is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu - South Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore, close to Chennai during early morning of 17th October," the department said.
Chief Minister Stalin announced that on October 16 and 17, food will be provided free of cost in Amma canteens in Chennai to support the poor.
Karnataka
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning and squall on Wednesday for coastal, north interior and south interior parts of Karnataka. It has forecast very heavy rain for Bengaluru and surrounding districts of coastal, north interior and south interior of Karnataka till October 18, IMD said.
Overcast conditions are likely to continue in the city over the next three to four days.
Andhra Pradesh
According to an IMD official, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, along with extremely heavy rainfall in some isolated places.
Watch: Is Chennai prepared for monsoon this year? Ground reality is worrisome
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- 16 Oct 2024 8:56 AM IST
Schools, colleges to remain closed
The Tamil Nadu government has announced a holiday for schools and colleges across the four northern districts of Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Chengelpet, on Wednesday (October 16) too, in view of extremely heavy rainfall forecast. - 16 Oct 2024 7:01 AM IST
More heavy rain forecast for today and tomorrow
The Met department predicts extremely heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (October 16), too, along with coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region.
The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal has moved further northwestwards and lay about 440 km east-southeast of Chennai, 460 km east-southeast of Puducherry, and 530 km east-southeast of Nellore (Andhra Pradesh).
It is likely to move further west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore, close to Chennai during early morning of October 17.
Kerala and coastal and south interior Karnataka will receive very heavy rain on Wednesday, while north interior Karnataka and Konkan and Goa will receive heavy rain because of the system.
Very heavy rain is predicted for Tamil Nadu, Kerala and south interior Karnataka on Thursday (October 17) too. - 15 Oct 2024 7:25 PM IST
TN CM to skip Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in, Kanimozhi to represent DMK
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will not be attending the swearing-in of Omar Abdullah as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir owing to the IMD issuing a 'red alert' due to the northeast monsoon, the state government said on Tuesday.
A 'red alert' indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours.
DMK MP Kanimozhi will represent the party at the swearing-in ceremony on October 16.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah called up the Tamil Nadu chief minister and invited him for the swearing-in of his son and JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah as chief minister, an official release here said.
But Stalin conveyed his inability to attend in person as the IMD had forecast a ‘red alert’ due to the northeast monsoon in the state, and that he was engaged in precautionary work, the release said.
- 15 Oct 2024 7:23 PM IST
NDRF, State Disaster Response Force teams are on standby: Udhayanidhi
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday said NDRF and State Disaster Response teams are ready for deployment as Chennai and other parts of the state continue to witness rains.
The Deputy CM said that disaster response force teams of the state and Centre are on standby in 26 locations in Chennai and districts nearby. Also, 219 boats are ready for use for rain related tasks in Chennai and other parts of the state.
He told reporters that relief centres are ready in as many as 300 locations in city with capacity to accommodate 50 to 1,000 people. Such centres have all basic amenities including food and water. Also, 35 common kitchens are on standby.
In Tiruvallur, Chengelpet and Kancheepuram districts around Chennai, 631 such centres are ready.
In Chennai, 15 IAS officials have been deputed to monitor efforts to tackle inundation. Similarly, in the rest of the state, senior IAS officials have been deputed.
Across the state, 1,000 monsoon medical camps have been set up, which includes 100 such facilities in Chennai. As many as 13,000 volunteers have come forward to assist authorities in rain related tasks. In total, 65,000 volunteers are on standby in the state.
"Out of the 22 subways in Chennai, there are no hassles in 20 of them and only the Ganesapuram and Perambur subways have been temporarily closed," he said. Work to clear waterlogging is going on in over 300 places. "During the past 24 hours there has been no power cut," he added.
