Chennai and surrounding districts are facing a red alert due to the Northeast Monsoon and a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal. The Meteorological Center has issued a red alert for nine districts, including Chennai, with the possibility of heavy rains. As a result, life in these districts has come to a standstill, with rapidly increasing water levels in ponds and reservoirs.
The districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Thiruvannamalai, Vellore, Cuddalore, and Villupuram have been issued a red alert as the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal is expected to turn into a cyclone. Heavy rains, thunder, lightning, and strong winds are anticipated in these districts, with wind speeds of 40 to 50 km per hour continuing until the 18th of this month. Fishermen have been warned to avoid fishing, and similar weather conditions are expected in the northern coastal districts of the state.
In response to the threat of floods, the government has declared a holiday in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts. However, emergency services and essential operations such as police, fire, hospitals, banks, electricity, transportation, and flood relief efforts will continue to function. The High Court and courts in the affected districts have also been declared closed.
The heavy rains have led to the flooding of 6500 acres of paddy fields in the Delta district. In several other districts, life has been disrupted due to heavy rains, with landfills being flooded.
In Kancheepuram, the water levels in ponds and the Chembarambakkam reservoir have risen rapidly due to two days of rain. The district collector has indicated that the low pressure is expected to turn into a cyclone, bringing moderate to heavy rains in the northern districts for the next few days, with a high likelihood of heavy rains in the suburban areas of Chennai.
Also Read:https://thecapital.org.in/top-india-leaders-in-kashmir-for-omar-abdullahs-swearing-in-ceremony/