AMN /
Though Chennai is limping back to normalcy, heavy rain has led to floods in many places in Tirunelveli, Tirupur and Karur districts of Tamil Nadu. In Tirunelveli, Thamaraparani river is in spate leading to flood alerts in low lying areas. The trough of low pressure near Kumari sea has led to heavy rain in the southern districts of the state. In Tirupur and Karur flood alerts have been issued as Amaravathy river is flooded with rain water. The level of Mullaperiyar Dam level is expected to reach 142 feet soon.
In Chennai and its suburbs, the flood situation has considerably improved and people woke up to a bright sun, bringing the much needed relief. From Chennai Airport, civilian aircraft have begun operations on a limited scale, though the airport authorities have declared it open for full-scale functioning day and night for domestic and international services. It is expected that the traffic would get back to its normal levels gradually, once airliners schedule their flights to the city. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju inspected the airport premises today and reviewed the situation with the officials.
Meanwhile, in Chennai, the central and state forces have shifted their focus on relief works now as most of the inundated places have become cleared of storm water. Air dropping of relief materials has been called off as road connectivity has improved. For Cuddalore district, more Army and NDRF personnel have been dispatched as weather forecast indicated more rain there. From the Mathuraanthagam Lake in Kanchipuram district, the release of water has been increased to 24,500 cusecs. Tourists have been denied entry to the Thirparappu Waterfalls in Kanyakumari district.
State Bank of India has introduced ATMs on wheel to the locations affected by flood, as many ATMs are not functioning.
Though Chennai is limping back to normalcy, heavy slush on the streets remain a cause of concern. Chennai Corporation has mobilized additional workers from other areas to clear the garbage. Meteorology Department in Chennai has predicted rain in most parts of coastal districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the next 24 hours under the impact of the Low Pressure Area in South West Bay of Bengal and Chennai is set to witness mild showers intermittently. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur remain shut down.