CHENNAI, Nov 14: All schools and colleges are closed in 23 districts, including
Capital Chennai, as incessant rain battered the State for the fifth day on Monday
paralysing normal life. The meteorological office predicted two more days of
widespread torrential rain in Tamil Nadu. Neighbouring Puducherry also has had
heavy rains since Thursday night leading to closure of all schools and colleges.
A thunderstorm is forecast for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Monday
and a flood alert has been issued for Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, Ranipet,
Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Ramanathapuram districts. The thunderstorm is likely
to lash Nilgiri, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Cuddalore, Erode, Villupuram, Kancheepuram,
Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Madurai and Kanyakumari.
Several parts of north Chennai faced waterlogging even as more rains were predicted
by the weatherman for the day in the city.
Chief Minister CM Stalin visited the rain-affected districts on Sunday amid
a fresh flood alert. Stalin claimed there is no waterlogging in the city except
during rain. He tweeted, "Only during rains, there might be water stagnation
but after sometime it's dry...Tonight I’m travelling to Seerkazhi and after
that Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore."
Water overflowing from Chitlapakam lake entered residential area in Tambaram.
There was knee-deep water in Velachery and the streets were inundated. Excess
water was discharged from Vaigai dam in Theni. Coimbatore dams were overflowing
after heavy rain.
Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpet,
Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Thanjavur and Ramanathapuram districts witnessed heavy
rains measuring an average of 10 cm. Mayiladuthurai has recorded its all-time
high 24-hour rainfall of 44 cm.
The rain had started on Thursday night and intensified. Waterlogging and traffic
disruption continues all over the State. At several places residents are being
evacuated.
