2 people reported dead, most of city waterlogged
Triggered by cyclone ‘Michaung’, heavy rainfall has thrown normal life completely out of gear in many parts of Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai, where two people lost their lives in rain related incidents. Michaung is currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal and is heading towards the Andhra coast. The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam tomorrow noon.
Torrential rain triggered by the cyclone has wreaked havoc upon Tamil Nadu, with Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Thiruvallur districts bearing the brunt of the downpour.
Most parts of Chennai are currently submerged in water, with heavy inundation in low-lying areas, even as civic agency personnel were involved in clearing the stagnant water. In some areas, cars were seen floating on waterlogged roads.
Several areas in the city also experienced power outages and internet disruptions, forcing people to look for ways to stay safe. To make matters worse, a video went viral on social media showing a crocodile roaming on a road in the city during the night. The reptile was reportedly found in the Perungalathur area of Chennai. In the video, the reptile can be seen crawling on the side of the road before disappearing into the bushes.
Reacting to a viral video of a crocodile spotted in suburban Perungulathur during heavy rains, Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu reassured the public, stating, “There are a few mugger crocodiles in several water bodies in Chennai. These shy animals avoid human contact. Wildlife officials are on the job to prevent any untoward incidents. Please refrain from approaching these creatures.”
Rail and air services suffered cancellations and delays. The Chennai airport operations were suspended from 9.40 a.m till 11:30 p.m.
As many as 70 flights arriving to and departing from the airport were cancelled owing to non-stop rains. The runway and tarmac also remain shut, sources said. To manage the situation, the Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday for educational institutions, government and private offices, financial institutions, and banks in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts on Tuesday. Private companies were urged to enable work from home for employees in affected regions.
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Chennai, neighbouring Dists reel under heavy rain
