Following a request from the Tamil Nadu government, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four teams in the state to assist in rescue operations necessitated by heavy rainfall.
The deployment was done following the state government’s Commissioner for Revenue Administration’s request after an alert issued by IMD, regarding a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
According to a statement issued by the NDRF, one team each has been deployed in Thiruvallur and Chengalpattu district and two teams in Madurai district. NDRF said that all the teams were self-contained and equipped with flood rescue equipment, collapsed structure search and rescue equipment, appropriate communication equipment and PPE kits.
“Our 24×7 control room in Arakkonam is closely monitoring the situation round the clock and all efforts are being made in close collaboration with Tamil Nadu state administration,” said NDRF.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and discussed the situation in view of heavy rainfall in parts of the state. PM Modi assured all possible support from the Central government’s side in the rescue and relief work. Talking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “Spoke to Tamil Nadu CM, Thiru @mkstalin and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rainfall in parts of the state. Assured all possible support from the Centre in rescue and relief work. I pray for everyone’s well-being and safety.”
Earlier in the day, CM Stalin visited rain-affected areas of Perambur Barracks Road, Otteri bridge, and Padi after Chennai recorded heavy overnight rains. Traffic movement on Guindy-Koyambedu road has been affected due to waterlogging as a result of heavy rainfall.
The Chief Minister said that including Chennai, 11 districts have been affected in the rainfall of about 20 cm and above, which is unusual. He said that other districts did not witness much rainfall, but instructed 24×7 vigilance in such districts.
The state government has set up pump sets in different 500 locations to remove the logged water. Further, 50,000 food packets were also distributed. Relief camps providing food, shelter and medical care have been opened in the city.
The CM has announced a two-day holiday for schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram districts due to the heavy rainfall.
The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) has predicted ‘moderate’ rain in the city till 11 November. Heavy rainfall has been predicted for Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka and coastal Andhra Pradesh until November 11.
Several parts of Chennai reported extensive waterlogging on Sunday morning after the city recorded heavy overnight rains.
According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation lies over the Southeast Bay of Bengal off the Sumatra coast. A low-pressure area is likely to form over Southeast Bay of Bengal around 9 November. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into southeast Bay of Bengal on 9-10 November and in southwest Bay of Bengal and along the Tamil Nadu and adjoining Andhra Pradesh coasts around 10-12 November. North coastal Tamil Nadu is expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall.
