Chennai: Incessant heavy rain for the past few days has triggered landslides and waterlogging in several districts of Tamil Nadu. A landslide occurred on the road near Kunjappa-Panai in Coimbatore as heavy rainfall continued in the region.
Similarly, a landslide occurred on the Mettupalayam highway in Kotagiri Mettupalayam, causing mudslides and fallen trees. A landslide also took place on the third bend leading from Kotagiri to Mettupalayam in the area under Mettupalayam. This caused a traffic disruption. At present, Mettupalayam Police, Fire Department and Highways Department are engaged in removing mudstones and trees that have fallen on the road.
The vehicles from Kotagiri going to Mettupalayam are being sent by the police via Coonoor. Due to heavy rain in lower Kothagiri, NMR Mountain train No. 06136 Mettupalayam – Udagamandalam train and Train No. 06137 Udagamandalam – Mettupalayam train of today (09.11.2023) have been cancelled.
Several districts in Tamil Nadu declared a school holiday on Thursday due to heavy rainfall in the state. Schools will remain closed in Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Dindigul, and Madurai as per orders issued by their respective district magistrates.
Waterlogging occurred in several areas of Madurai following heavy rainfall in the area. Waterlogging was also seen in various parts of Thoothukudi city in Tamil Nadu.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), isolated heavy rainfall is very likely to continue over Tamil Nadu on November 9, with a significant reduction thereafter.
In Chennai, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur in some areas till Thursday. Maximum temperature is likely to be around 30-31°C and minimum temperature is likely to be 25-26°C.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Monday, November 6, rented 15 tractor pumps from farmers in the state, in addition to the 150 tractors that have been stationed across the 15 zones from November 1. Rs 10 lakh has also been devoted to each of the 15 zones to undertake measures for flood relief.
“Previously, tractor pumps were acquired from farmers who cultivated paddy from Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram only because November and December are off seasons for them. But this time, farmers from Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Villupuram districts have come to our aid. While more of them are ready to rent out their tractor pumps, we already have 845 tractor pumps to clear inundation,” the GCC spokesperson told TNM. Around 37 low-lying areas have been identified by the Corporation, where 100 pumps will be stationed to provide instant flood relief, the spokesperson added.
Heavy rainfall in southern India occurs due to the northeast monsoons, also known as the winter monsoon. The Northeast monsoon is the counterpart of the Southwest monsoon and usually occurs between October and December.