Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin inspects rain-affected areas in Chennai, distributes relief materials

CM Stalin said, "The Tamil Nadu Government is ready to face any situation. Precautionary measures have been implemented across the state."

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan noted that water had receded quickly, highlighting the steps taken by the state government over the past two years.

Elangovan remarked, "Naturally, if rain continues for 3-4 days, problems will arise. When Jayalalitha was Chief Minister, this problem occurred twice, including in 2015. What was done then? There were heavy floods, and most industrial areas were inundated. With heavy rainfall, issues are inevitable. We are laying pipelines, and while there was waterlogging for two days after the rain stopped last time, this time, the water receded quickly. This shows the effectiveness of our actions over the past two years."

He added that all DMK ministers were out on the streets to assess the flood situation and provide relief to the public.

Several areas of Chennai recorded extremely heavy rainfall until 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Kathivakkam and Manali registered 23 cm and 21 cm of rainfall, respectively, while Cholavaram recorded 30 cm, Red Hills 28 cm, and Avadi 25 cm.

The depression over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwest at a speed of 14 km per hour and crossed the north Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore, near latitude 13.5 N and longitude 80.2 E, at around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The depression subsequently weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area, lying over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north coastal Tamil Nadu. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the depression is likely to move west-northwestwards and weaken into a low-pressure area within the next 12 hours.

On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with party leaders, distributed relief materials to sanitation workers following the heavy rainfall.

Speaking to the media, Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "No rainwater is stagnating in Chennai and its surrounding areas. I thank the public and sanitation workers for their cooperation with the state government to make this possible. We are prepared to face any situation, even if it rains again today."

Heavy rains continued to batter Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, flooding residential areas and roads, causing traffic congestion, and disrupting public transport services. (ANI)