A woman wades through a waterlogged street following heavy rain at KM Garden in Chennai on November 10. (Photo credit: PTI/R Senthil Kumar)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for many districts of Tamil Nadu for the next two days as a low-pressure area has formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the neighbourhood under the influence of cyclonic circulation is expected to bring widespread rainfall.
Following the IMD forecast, the Tamil Nadu government announced holidays for schools and colleges in nine districts, including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai.
While the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has advised people to stay home, the private offices have been advised to allow work from home. The state government has deployed 41 boats in vulnerable areas of Chennai while seven additional inflatable boats have been kept ready too. Fishermen have also been advised to not venture into the sea for fishing till November 12.
Ten IAS officers have been appointed as nodal officers to monitor relief measures in flood-affected areas in Chennai and neighbouring regions.
The 24 x 7 state control room in Chennai and those in districts could be contacted through the toll-free numbers 1070 and 1077 respectively. People may also get in touch with authorities of Greater Chennai Corporation by using the 1913 toll free number.