Chennai Faces Flood Threat as Unrelenting Rainfall Triggers Emergency Evacuations

Chennai continues to face the adverse effects of relentless rainfall as several districts in Tamil Nadu experience severe inundation. The Thamirabarani River has swelled dangerously due to persistent downpours, prompting the Thoothukudi district administration to issue a flood warning for the Srivaikuntam and Eral areas. Residents in low-lying regions are being urged to relocate to safer locations as the threat of flooding looms large. In Chennai, the situation is becoming critical, with the Public Works Department (PWD) taking precautionary measures by issuing its first flood warning for areas surrounding the Redhills and Chembarambakkam reservoirs. These reservoirs are vital sources of drinking water for the city, and rising water levels due to continuous rain in their catchment areas have raised alarm. To manage the situation, the discharge of surplus water from the Poondi dam in the city suburbs has been significantly increased, moving from 5,000 cusecs on Thursday evening to 12,000 cusecs on Friday morning. The incessant rainfall in the upstream regions of the Thamirabarani has caused the river to overflow, leading to the issuance of flood alerts for all villages and towns along its banks. In response, revenue officials have been directed to oversee the evacuation of residents from vulnerable areas in Srivaikundam and Eral. Local authorities, including police and fire rescue services, are actively working on the ground to facilitate these evacuations and ensure public safety. As the monsoon continues to unleash its fury, the people of Tamil Nadu are urged to remain vigilant and heed the warnings from local authorities. The focus remains on protecting lives and property as communities brace for the ongoing weather challenges. The state's administration is closely monitoring the situation, aiming to mitigate risks and provide assistance to those affected by the rising waters.