Tamil Nadu Faces Heavy Rainfall: Government Declares Holiday in Northern Districts

In response to intense rainfall, the Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday for schools and colleges across four northern districts—Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengelpet—on October 16. This decision came after heavy downpours lashed the state, causing widespread disruption. The announcement was made by Chief Minister MK Stalin's office, ensuring safety amidst potential hazards.

The downpour, triggered by a well-marked low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, led the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for several districts. The IMD predicted isolated extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in the affected areas, especially around Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, and Kancheepuram. In response, the Tamil Nadu government acted swiftly to prevent any further complications, including flooding, property damage, or harm to residents.

Government Response and Relief Measures

Chief Minister MK Stalin was seen actively overseeing the state’s response to the rains. On Tuesday, Stalin inspected flood-prone areas in Chennai, even sipping tea with sanitation workers who were ensuring the free flow of rainwater through the Otteri Canal. His proactive approach highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting both the city’s infrastructure and its workers during this time of crisis.

Public offices across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, and Kancheepuram were also closed for the day. However, essential services remained operational, including police, fire services, hospitals, and transport networks like the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), and the railway stations. Critical services such as water, milk, food supply, and fuel outlets functioned uninterrupted, ensuring residents could access necessary resources.

Additionally, 931 relief centres were set up in the most vulnerable areas, with disaster response teams placed on high alert. Over 200 boats were readied to assist with any necessary evacuations or rescue operations, and IAS officers monitored the situation closely around the clock.

Widespread Disruption Across Chennai

Chennai bore the brunt of the rainfall, with widespread flooding reported in over 300 locations. Many residential areas were submerged, and public transport services faced delays as water clogged several main roads. In flood-prone areas like Ram Nagar in Madippakkam, residents parked their vehicles on nearby bridges as a precaution against rising water levels.

Public transport was also affected, with the Southern Railway cancelling several express trains, including the Chennai Central-Mysuru Kaveri Express. Other trains were diverted, and some even had their origin stations shifted to Avadi, far from the usually busy Chennai Central station. Air travel was similarly impacted, with several domestic flights cancelled at Chennai airport due to the adverse weather.

Officials worked tirelessly to pump water out of flooded streets and restore public transportation. While most residents took shelter in their homes, the government’s emergency response teams, equipped with heavy-duty pumps, worked around the clock to mitigate the damage caused by the rains.

IMD Forecast and Preparedness

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai upgraded its warning from an orange alert to a red alert, forecasting more heavy rain over the next two days. Key areas like Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded rainfall of 13 cm and 10 cm, respectively, by Tuesday evening, indicating the severity of the situation. The IMD warned of continued downpours as the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression, pushing more moisture towards Tamil Nadu’s northern districts.

Despite the overwhelming rainfall, the state government reassured citizens that no major rain-related incidents had been reported, aside from a wall collapse that caused minor injuries. The coordinated efforts of various departments and on-ground workers helped Chennai and surrounding districts maintain a sense of order amidst the chaos.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also contributed to the relief efforts by inspecting several lakes in Chennai, ensuring that excess rainwater was being properly channeled to prevent additional flooding. He reviewed the operations at the city’s integrated command and control centre, based at the Ripon Building, where officials coordinated the ongoing efforts to manage the situation.