Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh rain updates | Depression to cross near Chennai late evening

The Met Department has issued red alert for eight districts — Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Vellore, Salem, Kallakurichi, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai — on November 11 as extremely heavy rainfall measuring above 20.4 cm is expected in one or two places and very heavy to heavy rainfall in a few places.

Rain may be of heavy to very heavy intensity over 11 districts including Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri and the UnionTerritory of Puducherry. Many other places may record rainfall of varying intensity.

 

Here are the latest updates:

 

Heavy rains to decrease from tomorrow

Heavy Rains over Tamil Nadu and Andhra likely to decrease from tomorrow as the Depression enters into land today and weakens subsequently. Today's rainfall activity will be more over Andhra Pradesh, the Met Department has tweeted.

 

Depression to cross near Chennai late evening

The latest weather bulletin issued by IMD at 2.30 pm states the depression is about 80 km east-southeast of Chennai and 140 km east-northeast of Puducherry. It is likely to move northwards and cross between northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh coasts near Chennai by 8.30 pm. Also another intense cloud mass has developed over the northeast sector due to convergence in the northeasterly winds.

The Met Department has also said a fresh low pressure area is likely to form over South Andaman Sea and neighbourhood on November 13. It is likely to move west-northwest wards and become more marked during subsequent 48 hours.

Puducherry gets respite from rain

The Union Territory of Puducherry, battered by heavy rains during the last 10 days, got a respite on Thursday as the sky remained overcast and the showers stopped.

With the release of water from dams in South Arcot district in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the Sankarabarani river in Puducherry was in a spate.

Home Minister A Namassivayam and PWD Minister K Lakshminarayanan visited various rain-hit areas. _ PTI

Jagan speaks to Collectors of TN border districts

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy instructed the Collectors of Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore and Prakasam to be on a high alert to the possibility of heavy rains, especially in the southern parts of Nellore district bordering Chennai.

In a video-conference with Collectors on the situation arising from the rainfall triggered by a depression in the Bay of Bengal, on Thursday, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered that relief camps be set up wherever required and the officials to be liberal in helping the needy in terms of food and drinking water. 

He told the Collectors to keep a close watch on reservoirs, dams and other irrigation structures to ensure that there are no breaches, saying that complacency in this regard could lead to deaths. 

The CM further said necessary repairs, particularly to roads, should be done once the rains subside and that he and other top officials would be a phone call way any time to extend necessary assistance that is asked for. - V. Raghavendra

Poondi discharge increased

Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority has said the discharge of Poondi Reservoirs surplus will be increased from 7,000 cusecs to 8,000 cusecs as current inflow is 8,600 cusecs.

Policewoman rescues unconscious man

A woman inspector rescued a 28-year-old man who was lying unconscious, and suspected, initially, to be dead. The man, who works in T.P. Chatram cemetery, was spotted lying unconscious there

 The video of the policewoman carrying the man on her shoulders and running towards an autorickshaw has been widely circulated in social media.

Tamil Nadu DGP Sylendra Babu has praised her.

 

Heavy rains lash south coastal AP

South coastal Andhra Pradesh witnessed widespread rains under the influence of the weather system in Bay of Bengal on Thursday.

Motorists were put to inconvenience as the incessant rain left even arterial roads under a sheet of water in, among other places, Nellore, Sullurpeta, Tada and Buchireddypalem. 

It was like the sky opened up in Ongole, where showers continued on Thursday, bringing cheers to farmers who have been waiting to start Rabi crop cultivation.

Sullurpeta recorded the highest rainfall of 184.4 m.m in SPSR Nellore district till 8.30 a.m. on Thursday followed by Buchireddypalem (141.2 m.m), Muthukur (115.4 m.m), Kota (107.2 m.m), Nellore 55.8 m.m and Venkatagiri (51.8 mm).

In Prakasam district, Giddalur recorded  a rainfall of 11.6 m.m followed by Tangutur (11.2 mm), Singarayakonda (10.8 mm) Addanki (10.4 mm), Kondepi (10.4 mm), Ongole (10.4 mm) and Ulavapadu 9.2 mm. - S. Murali

Incessant rains lash Tirupati

The hill town of Lord Venkateswara reeled under the impact of incessant rains during the past two days.

The town which registered 55 mm of rainfall in the past twenty-four hours till 8.00 a.m. on Nov. 11 morning added another 20 mm of rainfall in just five hours according to reports at 1.00 p.m.

While Akasa Ganga, Kumaradhara and Pasupudhara dams — the minor water projects not primed with the flood gate mechanism (as they were constructed with a sole purpose of preserving the surplus rain waters) overflowed, the crest gates of Papavinasanam and Gogarbham dams were periodically lifted and water released downstream as part of regulating the water levels in the projects.

With high velocity winds also accompanying the incessant rains since this morning the roads leading to SriVari Padalu and Papavinasanam theertham were temporarily closed as instances of uprooting of trees were reported at a couple of places en route.

According to Superintendent Engineer Jagadishwar Reddy, the vehicular traffic was normal on both the ghat roads but for isolated incidents of minor landslides at a couple of places. Alert personnel immediately cleared the debris without any inconvenience to the motorists. Special teams, comprising engineering and forest personnel, were also deployed on the second ghat road leading to the sacred shrine to meet any kind of eventuality arising out of the situation. — G.P. Shukla, Tirupati

T.N. Governor R.N. Ravi  speaks to CM Stalin

 

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi discussed with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the phone, the rescue and relief operations undertaken by the State government in view of the heavy rains caused by the depression in the Bay of Bengal, an official release from Raj Bhavan said on Thursday.

The Governor also spoke to the Director-General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) S.N. Pradhan, about the rescue and relief operations undertaken in Tamil Nadu. The NDRF has deployed 14 battalions and has more forces on standby.

444 neighbourhoods flooded in Chennai

 

As many as 444 locations have been flooded and water level has receded at 27 locations in Chennai on November 11.

A total of 11,817 complaints have been received on Corporation helpline 1913 and work on resolving civic issues pertaining to 5,419 complaints have been completed.
Officials have inspected locations such as Chintadripet to distribute food and relief materials for flood-affected residents.

Corporation has distributed food packets to 2.96 lakh residents. A total of 160 trees have been uprooted and 147 have been removed and has opened shelters in 68 location. — Aloysius Xavier Lopez

Rains bring Chennai to a standstill

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Chennai airport suspends arrival operation till 6 pm

 

Due to severity of winds and adverse weather conditions, the arrival operations has been stopped at Chennai airport from 1.15 p.m. till 6 p.m. The departure of flights will continue as usual.

Eleven flights that had to arrive at Chennai airport from various cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Tiruchi and Madurai have been diverted either to Bengaluru or Hyderabad.

A total of 13 flights have been delayed so far. Sources said, flights have difficulty landing at the airport due to heavy winds. — Sunitha Sekar, Chennai

 

Moderate rainfall likely over Coastal A.P., Rayalaseema

The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved lay centred 170 km east of Puducherry on November 11 morning. It is very likely to continue to move west north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, around Chennai by November 11 evening.

Under the influence of this system moderate rainfall is likely at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema till November 12 morning.

Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places over Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Chittoor districts. Heavy to very heavy falls, at one or two places, is very likely over Guntur and Anantapur districts. Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Kurnool districts, according to a bulletin issued by the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC), Visakhapatnam, on Thursday.

Warnings issued at ports

Distant Cautionary signal no. I (DC-I) hoisted at Visakhapatnam Port and DC-I with Section Signal no. IV hoisted at Kakinada and Gangavaram ports. The CWC has asked the Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Krishnapatnam and Vadarevu ports to replace DC-I with Local Cautionary signal no. III (LC-III).

Squally weather, with wind speed reaching 45 to 55 km/hr, gusting to 65 km/hr, likely to prevail over A.P. coast on November 11. The sea condition would be rough to very rough and fishermen have been advised not to venture into southwest and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal and along and off A.P. coast during Nov 11 and 12.

The chief amounts of rainfall, recorded in cm, till 8.30 a.m. on November 11 are: Tirupathi 8, Nellore 5, Kavali 2 and Machilipatnam, Ongole, Arogyavaram and Bapatla received 1 cm each. — B. Madhu Gopal, Vishakapatnam

Life thrown out of gear in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam districts

Several parts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts have been receiving decent rainfall since Thursday early hours due to the impact of the depression over southwest Bay of Bengal. Life was thrown out of gear with the rains and cold waves and people remained indoors.

As per the weather reports of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the rains might continue in north Andhra region as depression moved west-northwest wards with a speed of 27 kmph. Srikakulam and Vizinaagaram district administrations have been monitoring the situation as two districts are expected to receive more rains although the major impact would be on South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. — Staff Reporter

Rain related death toll in Tamil Nadu increases to 14

 

As many as 14 people have lost their lives so far due to the rains Revenue Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran has said, adding that 157 cattle deaths have been reported so far.

Adressing a press conference Mr. Ramachandran said, waterlogging has been reported in over 400 areas in Chennai and we have drained off rainwater from 53 areas so far.

Ensure quality food, medical services at relief camps: CM Stalin

 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin spoke to Ministers and Special Officers deputed to manage the rain-related issues in various districts and reviewed the situation with them, an official release said.

He directed them to expedite the relief activities and ensure provision of quality food and medical facilities in relief camps.

He further wanted the authorities concerned to take steps to prevent crop loss. He also held a review meeting with top State Government officials including Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu. — Dennis Jesudasan, Chennai

Holiday for schools, colleges in Chittoor

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Chittoor district on November 11, paralysing normal life in Chittoor and Tirupati revenue divisions.

A rainfall of 21.6 cm was reported in the last 24 hours, the highest in November. Of 66 mandals, 45 had received excess rainfall. Varadaiahpalem mandal received highest rainfall at 14.35 cm.

The Tada-Srikalahasti road has been badly damaged, leading to stranding of vehicular traffic. Vehicular movement has been affected at several rural areas in Puthalapattu, Tavanampalle, Irala, Nindra, Satyavedu, Nagalapuram and B.N. Kandriga mandals. Irrigation authorities said as many as 13 tanks had received minor breaches in the district.

The district administration had declared a holiday to all schools, junior and degree colleges. — K. Umashanker

T.N., A.P. rainfall update by Met Dept

 

Tamilnadu, Puducherry & Karaikal: Chengalpattu: Tambaram-23, Mahabalipuram-17,

Kelabakkam, Satyabama & Thirupporur-12 each, Thirukalukundram-11, Chengalpattu-10,

Maduranthagam-9; Tiruvallur: Cholavaram-22, Ennore-21, Gummidipoonai & Red Hills-18

each, Ambathur & Thomaraipakkam-15 each, Chembarabakkam-14, Ponneri-13,

Poonamallee-12, Tiruvallur & Uthukottai-10 each, Koratur & Pondi-9 each; Chennai:

Peerambur-17, Nungambakkam-16, MGR Nagar-15, Meenambakkam, Taramani, Anna

University & Chennai-14 each; Kancheepuram: Kattukuppam-11, Sriperumbudur10; Villupuram: Marakkanam-10,

Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Nellore: Sullurpeta-18, Tada14, Rayalseema: Chittoor: Satyavedu-11, Tirupati-8, Puttur-7, Kerala & Mahe:

Kollam:Aryankavu-18

(All units in cm)

Depression now 130 km east-southeast of Chennai: IMD

The latest weather forecast released by IMD at 12 noon states that the Depression lays at 130 km east-southeast of Chennai and 150 km east-northeast of Puducherry. It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu & adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts around Chennai during the evening.

The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, north interior Tamil Nadu, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over South interior Karnataka, Kerala and heavy rainfall at isolated places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

APSPDCL sets up control rooms in rain prone districts

Following the incessant rains in several districts of the State, the Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) has set up control rooms in five districts coming under its purview and facing the brunt of the cyclone.

The company’s Chairman and Managing Director H. Haranatha Rao issued a high alert notice to the field employees working in Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore, Ananthapuram and Kurnool districts, asking them to watch out for exigencies pertaining to disruption of power service, uprooting of electric poles, snapping of live wire and so on. In a teleconference with the Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and Senior Accounts Officers of the respective circles (districts), he asked them to make available drilling equipment and walkie-talkie sets to the field staff.

Mr. Rao also appealed to the public to stay away from power utilities like electric poles, transformers and sub stations during high velocity winds and incessant rains.

The following are the mobile numbers to be contacted by the public in case of power related emergencies. Chittoor 9440817412, Kadapa 9440817440, Kurnool 7382614308, Anantapuram 9491067446, Nellore 9440817468. — A.D. Rangarajan

Ministerial team to assess crop damage in Delta districts

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has constituted a six-member ministerial team to assess the extent of crop damage in the Delta districts due to rains.

Co-operation Minister I. Periyasamy will head the team also comprising Thangam Thennarasu, K.R. Periyakaruppan, S. Regupathy, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, and Siva V Meyyanathan. — Dennis Jesudasan

 

Robotics at work

A robotic excavator removes trash at the confluence point of Mambalam canal and River Adyar near YMCA.

 

Couple braves Chennai rains to get married

Amidst flooding woes, a couple from Chennai braved adverse conditions to tie the knot even as rain batters the city.

 

GCC asks corporates to join relief efforts

The Greater Chennai Corporation has asked NGOs and corporate entities to take part in relief work.

Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said Amazon and Nestle supplied dry ration kits. Federal Bank supplied bread for flood-affected residents. Rotary Club supplied dry ration.

Akshaya Patra supplied 10 tonnes of rice and food. Dharshan Foundation supplied bedsheets, pillows, mattresses. ITC gave 10,000 biscuit packets. On Wednesday, IndusInd Bank sent ambulance for affected residents in flood shelters.

Light to moderate rainfall witnessed in Krishna

Vijayawada witnessed light rainfall on November 11 morning due to the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. Other parts of the districts witnessed light to moderate rainfall.

According to Krishna district officials, 2 mm of rainfall occurred in Vijayawada Urban and Rural mandala. Coastal mandals witnessed up to 10mm rainfall during the past 24 hours as of 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. 

Nagayalanka recorded 10 mm rainfall while Machilipatnam and Kruthivennu mandals recorded 8 mm rainfall. Mandals in western part of the district witnessed no rainfall.

The district received an average of 2.5 mm rainfall during the past day. — Tharun Boda

Combined storage in Tamil Nadu reservoirs inching towards 200 tmc ft

The combined storage of reservoirs in Tamil Nadu is inching towards 200 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft). On November 10, it was 199.165 tmc ft, accounting for 89% of the capacity of 90 reservoirs.

On November 10, 2020, the figure was about 140 tmc ft, accounting for 63% of their capacity. The total capacity of the reservoirs in the State is 224.297 tmc ft.

 

Villagers stranded due to floods in Kosasthalaiyar rescued

Villagers stranded in the middle of Kosasthalai river were rescued by Fire and Rescue Services personnel in a coordinated effort with other departments in Tiruvallur district.

On Tuesday night, the district authorities received information about the plight of the people in Kottaimedu village near Karanodai, which was cut off due to flooding in Kosasthalai river.

 

Rain update | Thunderstorm with moderate to heavy rains: Met Dept

The Met Department, in its advisory issued at 10 a.m. has predicted thunderstorm with moderate to heavy rain at one or two places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kachipuram and Villupuram districts.

It also said thunderstorm with moderate rain is likely to occur in Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Krishnairi, Dharmapuri, Salem and Puducherry within next three hours.

Railway services improve

Southern Railways has tweeted there is an improvement in the number of services from Chennai Central towards Tiruvallur and Arakkonam. "...only a few services are suspended for the time being. Work is underway to bring the train services back to normal," the official handle of Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai, Southern Railway, has tweeted.

Tambaram records 23 cm rain

Tambaram near  Chennai, has received 23 cm rain in the last 24 hours, the Met Department has said. Cholavaram received 22 cm, while Ennore recorded 21 cm, the IMD added.

Suplus water diverted from Poondi reservoir

The Water Resourcs Deparment has diverted surplus water from Poondi reservoir to flush out the polluted stretch of the Cooum river

Storage level in city reservoirs maintained at 79.8% as more inflow is expected, a release said. — K. Lakshmi

Madras High Court goes virtual today

In view of extreme weather, the Madras High Court on Thursday said it will function with skeletal staff. However, virtual hearing will continue today.

Urgnt motions may be moved. However, other cases, particularly final hearing matters, may be taken up only if all effective parties are represented, a notification said.

EMU services suspended on Thiruvallur section

 

The Southern Railway on Thursday temporarily suspended suburban train services on the west section from Mooremarket complex to Avadi, Thiruvallur and beyond due to water logging in tracks.

A senior official of the Chennai division said the water stagnation in the tracks in Ambattur and Avadi railway stations has led to temporary suspension of suburban train services. The railway maintenance staff are engaged in draining out the water. 

However suburban train services on the other three sections are operated in reduced numbers as per Sunday schedule.

Later, however Southern Railways said tweeted there was an improvement in the number of services from Chennai Central towards Tiruvallur and Arakkonam.

"...only a few services are suspended for the time being. Work is underway to bring the train services back to normal," the a tweet from the Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai, Southern Railway said.

Depression now  at 170 km east-southeast off Chennai

According the the IMD, the epression is now over southwest Bay of Bengal, about 170 km east-southeast of Chennai and 170 km east of Puducherry. It will continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts around Chennai by Thursday evening, the IMD has said. — K. Lakshmi

Power supply disrupted in south Chennai

The heavy overnight rain has led to several areas in south Chennai going without power supply due to cable fault, feeder trappings and shutting down as part of precautionary measures.

A senior official of Tangedco said power has been disrupted in several portions of Pallavaram, Eechangadu, Pammal, Vengaivasal, Sithalapakkam, Thoraipakkam and Selaiyur, due to tripping of feeders in the substations. Also the tripping in the main feeder from the Perungudi substation has caused power cut in areas served under the Information Technology corridor.

Power supply was cut due to water logging in several areas to avoid any untoward incidents in Velachery, Anakaputhur, Shankar Nagar in Pammal, Taramani, Besant Nagar and Adyar, officials said. — R. Srikanth

Also read: Chennai residents take refuge in hotel rooms amid heavy rain

Intense rains pound  several areas in and around Chennai

Severe rainfall pounded several parts of the city and its neighbourhood on early hours of Thursday, Novembe 11, 2021, as depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved towards TN coast.

According to IMD, the depression moved with a speed of 27 km per hour and was about 300 km east-southeast of Chennai and 280 km east-southeast of Puducherry. It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Karaikal and Sriharikota close to the north of Puducherry by Thursday evening.

Rains were more concentrated over Chennai and neighbouring districts as districts like Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai recorded light to moderate rains.

The Meteorological department has said surface winds will be strong with wind speed around 40 with gusting to 45 kilometres per hour over Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts of Tamilnadu and Puducheery during next six hours under the influence of Depression over South west Bay of Bengal off North TN coast.

 

Chennai traffic situation

 

The Chennai City traffic police on Thursday have issued the list of subways closed due to waterlogging and the subsequent diversions. According to a release, Vyasarpadi, Ganeshapuram, Gangu Reddy, Madley, Duraiswamy , Palavanthangal, Tambaram, Aranganathan, Villivakkam, and the Kakkan Bridge subways have been closed.

Buses have been diverted to Perambur Barracks Road near Astapujam Road due to road damage. MTC Buses from Doveton towards Pulianthope is diverted at  Doveton to take the route via Bricklin Road, Strahans Road and  proceed further. Similarly Buses from Pulianthope towards Doveton diverted via Strahans Road, Bricklin Road, Purasaiwakkam High  Road and to proceed further. — Sivaraman

Holiday for schools in six districts today

The district administrations of Vellore, Villupuram, Ranipet, and Kanniyakumari have declared holiday for all schools and colleges in the districts on November 11, due to rain. Similarly, holiday has been declared for schools in Tiruvannamalai and Tirupattur by the respective Collectors today. — Our Correspondents

Weather-watchers helps people ride out the storm

As the city gears up for a week of torrential downpour, Tamil Nadu’s lively network of weather bloggers have sprung into action on social media, keeping people updated with chatty forecasts

 

Northern, delta districts brace for intense rain

 

Chennai and other northern and delta districts are bracing for heavy rainfall, owing to the well-marked low-pressure area, expected to turn into a depression and cross the region on November 11. While earlier forecasts predicted rain to intensify in Chennai from November 10, the city received only moderate rainfall throughout the day.

However, rainfall appeared to intensify from November 10 evening, with Nungambakkam recording 3 c.m. in five hours from 5 p.m.

 

Eight flights cancelled due to adverse weather

Eight flights were cancelled at Chennai airport on Wednesday after the Indian Meteorological Department issued a forecast that there would be heavy rainfall in the city. Some of the international flights for Thursday have been cancelled and some rescheduled as well.

Some of the flights to London, Bahrain, Dubai and Muscat on Thursday and Friday have been rescheduled. Few flights to Dubai and Sharjah early on Thursday have been cancelled too.

NDRF team reaches Puducherry, Cuddalore

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force have reached Puducherry and Cuddalore to assist the civil administration in case of any monsoon-related disaster.

The Puducherry region recorded 95 mm of rainfall till 8.30 a.m on November 10. While Thirukannur received 75 mm rain during the period, Bahour region received 72 mm.

 

Heavy rainfall disrupts life in delta region

As the heavy rainfall continued to disrupt the normal life of the people and submerged the standing samba crop in different parts of the delta districts including Tiruchi, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur districts, the Monitoring Officers appointed by the State government to supervise the disaster management relief works carried out inspection at various points to take stock of the situation.

Chennai’s trusty volunteers have braved multiple crises

Earlier this year, we saw them behind screens and on the ground — distributing food, collating information, relaying leads, finding beds and oxygen cylinders, and thus saving lives — in the thick of the brutal second wave of COVID-19 in Chennai, braving personal losses and mental health challenges. Now, as the city wades through heavy rains, they are on the job again, with all systems in place. Chennai’s volunteers are adapting through crises, armed with an expertise that can only come from experience.

It was only earlier this week that Instagram and Twitter handle @covid19_chennai changed its name to @newsofchennai, thereby shifting its focus to critical situations in the city, not just COVID-19. When Shyam Sundar, a Chennai-based volunteer started the account in March 2020, he did not anticipate this growth in relevance. In fact, he had hoped the pages would no longer be required.

(With inputs from Our Correspondents, agencies)