There seems to be no respite for Tamil Nadu from heavy rains, as the death toll has now risen to 71 in the state. From Karnataka to Puducherry, the rain fury continued to hit other parts of southern India as well.
Popular places across Chennai, like the Marina Beach, remained flooded after the incessant rainfall. Rainfall of 24 cm was recorded in Chennai till 5:30 on Monday morning.
And this is not the end of woes for Chennai residents as the Met department predicted more rains in the Tamil Nadu capital and other coastal areas on Monday.
CNN-IBN change.org campaign: War-Footing Flood Relief Needed in Chennai
While schools and colleges remain shut, suburban train services have been disrupted as well. The state government has evacuated people living in low lying areas.
Met officials had earlier said that a low pressure trough had formed in the south east Bay of Bengal and it could intensify into a depression.
The prices of vegetables have also soared following the rains and thunderstorms. While tomato price has touched Rs 100 per kg, the price of ladyfinger has also gone up by 50%.
The situation is equally grim in other parts of the state. For instance in Vellore, a group of villagers are living in fear that the rains may wash away their homes as a nearby lake is not maintained well.
Since the heavy rains in October, about 4000 people in Jawathirama Samuthiram area have been living in fear that their village might be washed away by the lake water. The land between the lake and the panchayat has gone down by a few in inches in the past few weeks.
The heavy rains have weakened the wall around the lake as the water level continues to rise, threatening to wash away the entire Narayanapuram panchayat, including 130 acres of paddy land.
Meanwhile, persistent rain in Bengaluru on Monday forced the umpires to call off the play for the second consecutive day of the test match between India and South Africa.
Puducherry has also failed to escape the rain fury with over 11 cm rain in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Monday. All schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal regions remained shut due to the rains.
Chennai helpline numbers: Corporation - 1913, TNEB- 1912, Metro Water - 044-45674567
The Met department has expressed confidence that the situation will improve in the next two days. According to Met Department director BP Yadav, areas around Chennai, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema will receive extremely heavy rainfall for next 48 hours. Main fury of rain over next 48 hours will be over south coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, to some extent on north Tamil Nadu. Compared to last 48 hours, the situation is set to improve in Chennai. According to Yadav, rains will reduce to 5 cms-7 cms after two days.
'Madras catches cold and Bangalore sneezes'
There is a saying that "when Madras catches cold, Bangalore sneezes". It explains the close 'weatherly - brotherly' relationship these two Southern capitals share. Bengaluru and southern parts of Karnataka have been receiving intermittent rains for the past one week. The temperature has dropped to season's lowest in and around Bengaluru forcing the people to wear warm clothes. The biggest casualty is the second Test match between India and South Africa at Bengaluru. Not a single ball was bowled on the second day of the Match – Sunday and the third day of the match – Monday. Finally, the Test match has been called off disappointing the fans.
The residents of Bengaluru had a gloomy Deepavali last week. They were hoping that weather would improve after that, but the killer rain has spoiled their plans forcing the people to postpone a lot of things. The continued rain has led to an increase in the cases of asthma, cold, cough and viral fever across the city. Bengaluru residents are hoping that the rain would stop soon. The unseasonal rain is not good for the standing crop say agriculture experts.
Heavy rains batter Andhra Pradesh
Heavy rain has caused havoc in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as well. Over a dozen people died due to heavy rain in coastal AP last week. The unprecedented rainfall continued to disrupt normal life in coastal Andhra Pradesh even on Monday. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reviewed the situation in rain affected districts. He has instructed district administration to ensure there is no loss of life.
In Chittoor, as a precautionary measure school holiday has been declared on Monday and Tuesday. The people have been advised not to go near water bodies. Heavy rainfall warning has been issued by the Met department for next three days. Over 17 departments are working together to ensure safety of people.
Many areas in Coastal and Rayalaseema of AP have been inundated and people living in low lying areas have been shifted to safer places. Andhra Pradesh had declared drought this year. The administration is welcoming the rains minus damage to life and crops. Chief Minister Naidu has instructed officials to make use of rain water judiciously. Efforts are being made to fill 8000 water tanks in the state.
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