Chennai.
While the heat waves continue to prevail in Central India, its raining cats and dogs downsouth. The centre of torrential rains is Chennai which has been witnessing heavy downpour for the last 48 hours. The condition is expected to worsen further as a devastating cyclone reportedly moved past the Indian coast and marched towards Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The cyclonic effects have been warned in Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh where the fishermen are alerted to stay away from the sea.
Reminiscing of the similar such rains last December, Chennai Municipal Commissioner Chandramohan is taking no chance as he said, “There have been warnings of very heavy rain, so we could not take chances… We have learnt a lesson from the December floods.”
The civic authorities have deployed nearly 12,000 people across the city to conduct the operations, boats have been stationed at multiple locations for emergency rescue, said Chandramohan. Four teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in low-lying areas.
Sewage lines in Chennai have started overflowing in many areas due to rain caused by the cyclonic winds. “Water from subways is being pumped out to ensure free flow of traffic,” Mr Chandramohan added.
The authorities have also set up an emergency number — 1070 – to receive rainfall-related grievances.
Rains and floods for two consecutive weeks last year killed nearly 350 people in Tamil Nadu and had caused widespread destruction.
Besides Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are also witnessing heavy rains. Very heavy rainfall has also been predicted for Andhra Pradesh. Fishermen have been warned against going to the sea.
