With heavy rain set to lash several parts of Tamil Nadu over the next week, IMD has issued orange alert for several districts.
Published Oct 13, 2024 | 10:28 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2024 | 8:34 AM
Heavy rain lashes Tamil Nadu
Four people lost their lives during heavy rain in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, 13 October. The IMD has issued an Orange alert for 11 districts, including Chennai, till 18 October.
Fallen electric poles caused the deaths of four people, including a minor. Northeast monsoon is around the corner, and concerns have risen that the deaths could have been prevented if not for gaps in infrastructure readiness.
On 13 October, Deputy Chief Minister and Youth Welfare and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin monitored flood control measures. He was at Chennai’s Integrated Command Center as part of monsoon preparedness efforts.
But the fatalities in Kadalur, Madurai, Sivagangai, and Thiruppathur districts, due to electrocution, raise pressing concerns about the real-time efficacy of the state’s precautionary measures.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded Orange Alert for Chennai, Coimbatore, Tenkasi, Tiruvallur and several other districts till 18 October with predicted rainfall up to 204 mm. The IMD has warned that these conditions could lead to severe weather, with wind speeds reaching up to 45 km/h, potentially gusting up to 55 km/h.
Fisherfolk have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period, as squally weather is expected.
Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority has mobilised 65,000 volunteers, and Chennai alone will see 10,000 volunteers ready to assist in emergency rescue and relief operations.
— Tamilnadu Weather-IMD (@ChennaiRmc) October 13, 2024
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has assured that the government is fully prepared to handle any crises arising from the upcoming northeast monsoon, which is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall due to low-pressure systems over the Arabian Sea.
During a review meeting with top officials, he emphasised the importance of taking precautionary measures, including the evacuation of people in low-lying areas before the onset of monsoon. Stalin also announced the launch of the TN-Alert app, designed to provide real-time data and warnings related to weather conditions.
All four died from electrocution from fallen electric poles due to heavy rain across the state. In Kadalur district, a 13-year-old girl from Thittakudi was electrocuted after coming into contact with a downed pole.
In Madurai, a farmer named Ganesh from Padmanathapuram died while irrigating his field. A man in Sivagangai stepped on a fallen pole while fishing, and Kumarasamy was electrocuted near Ambur when a pole collapsed on his home.
Kumarasamy was electrocuted when a high-voltage electric pole collapsed onto his house’s bathroom in Thangam Nagar near Ambur. Despite repeated complaints to the electricity department from the locals for over three years about the pole being unsafe, authorities allegedly did not take any action.
The rain from the previous night weakened the pole, leading to its collapse. Local residents held the electricity officials responsible and refused to move the body until a permanent solution was promised. After two hours of protests, assurances were given, and the body was taken for post-mortem to the government hospital in Ambur and an investigation into the death is underway.
In Palavangudi near Karaikudi, a 60-year-old man named Ayyakannu died early morning due to electrocution while fishing in a canal. He had set up a barrier called ‘Pathakkattu’ in a canal near his home to catch fish.
Unaware that a electric wire had fallen on the barrier, he stepped on it and was electrocuted. His body has been sent to Karaikudi Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination while police officials are conducting an investigation.
In Coimbatore, heavy rain on the evening of 13 October caused flash floods in areas such as Gandhipuram, Singanallur, Ukkadam, and Vilankurichi.
A private bus was stranded under the Sivananda Colony railway bridge due to accumulated water. Fortunately, all passengers were safely rescued, and firefighters are working to retrieve the bus. Additionally, several homes in the district were flooded, forcing residents to evacuate.
The District Collector, Kranthi Kumar Pati, issued an urgent advisory for those living in damaged or flooded homes to relocate immediately.
The press statement read, “Residents in affected areas will be provided food, drinking water, and basic necessities, with the revenue department and city corporation working in unison to ensure their safety.” The 24-hour helplines (1077 and 0422-2301114) have been activated for emergency assistance, while relief centers have been established to house displaced families.
Officials have shared information on resources that people can reach out to for relief and support across Tamil Nadu.
All details on relief schemes can be accessed at this website.
To fund the disaster relief efforts, donations can be made to CM’s Public Relief Fund.
Meanwhile, IMD has issued safety warnings and dos and don’ts for during heavy rain and lightning.
— Tamilnadu Weather-IMD (@ChennaiRmc) October 13, 2024
(Edited by Neena)
