Chennai, Nov 8 (UNI) A day after the Chennai city received more than
25 cm of rain, the intensity of the showers came down, though it poured
in spells, crippling normal life.
As the met office has forecast heavy rains, schools and colleges were
closed for two days in few districts, including Chennai, Kanchipuram,
Tiruvallur and Chengalpet, while a holiday was declared for schools
only in at least ten districts.
The government has also declared a holiday for all the departments in
view of the rains. However, essential departments like electricity, aavin,
revenue, police and fire service will continue to function as usual.
Met office said Chennai recorded 7.4 cm of rains from early morning till
0830 hrs this morning, while the suburban Meenambakkam observatory
received 5.1 cm of rains.
The intensity of the rain was such that several areas of the city continued
to remain inundated for the second day today and people were forced to
remain indoors as water have entered their households up to a height of
four to five ft.
Traffic was also hit in some parts of the city due to water-logging.
Greater Chennai Corporation officials in coordination with police, revenue and fire
service personnel were continuing their efforts to pump out the stagnated water.
Several suburban areas continued to remain under thick sheets of water and
resembled an island.
Adding to the people's woes, was disruption in power supply in several parts
of the city as a precautionary measure on the advise of Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Meanwhile, Mr Stalin, accompanied by Ministers, officials and Corporation
authorities, inspected several rain-hit areas for the second day today and
reviewed the relief operations.
Mr Stalin also heard the grievances from the people and promised to address
them.
As several reservoirs, which were the main source of drinking water needs of
Chennai city, were fast filling up, surplus water was expected to be released.
Reports received from districts said, standing crops in several acres were
submerged due to widespread rains for the last couple of days. Farmers
are a worried lot and urged the government to provide compensation.
UNI GV 1104