Chennai:

Rainfall occurred in Chennai and surrounding areas overnight and the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday that the low pressure area was likely to become prominent soon. While the city administration said there was no waterlogging in the subways in view of preventive maintenance, waterlogging occurred at several places, causing disruption to road users.

Chennai and its suburbs, including those belonging to nearby Tiruvallur district, have been witnessing intermittent rainfall since Monday night.

#REGARD | Tamil Nadu: Rain lashes parts of Chennai city.

(Images from Koyambedu area in Chennai) pic.twitter.com/kf2mfGz6fr

– ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024

The IMD said in a post on pressure area over central parts of southern Bay of Bengal till this morning, October 15.

“Thereafter, it is likely to intensify into a low pressure area and move further west-northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining southern coastal Andhra Pradesh during the following two days.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday took stock of the preparations and steps taken by the authorities to deal with the situation that may arise in view of the heavy rain predicted by the weather department.

The Chief Minister directed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force should be deployed in advance in the affected areas.

He has directed authorities to declare a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts on October 15 and has also asked them to advise IT firms to send their employees to work from October 15 to make it possible to work from home 18.

During the review meeting, Greater Chennai Corporation officials said that the civic body has prepared 990 pumps, 57 tractors equipped with pump sets and 36 mechanized boats for emergency use. In addition, 46 tons of bleaching powder and phenyl were available for hygiene purposes. Depending on the situation, around 169 fully equipped relief centers would become operational.