In the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, North Chennai reels under the weight of catastrophic flooding, power blackouts, and severed communication, leaving communities stranded and in urgent need of assistance. Vyasarpadi emerges as one of the hardest-hit areas, submerged and grappling with an absence of essential aid and official support. Streets like Mullai Nagar and Kalyanapuram in Vyasarpadi resemble waterlogged labyrinths, with residents taking it upon themselves to clear drains for access to clean water. However, the lack of governmental presence exacerbates their plight, with no relief in sight. The crisis extends its grasp from Pulianthope to Tiruvottiyur, where areas like Demellows Road and Pattalam remain submerged, accompanied by an eerie silence due to disrupted communication networks. Across social media, distress signals emanate, especially from Perambur North Town, where over a thousand individuals are stranded in chest-deep waters, isolated and unable to reach out for help. While sporadic electricity returns to sections of Tondiarpet, the absence of network connectivity perpetuates the isolation. Vimal, a resident, recollects a united protest, forming human chains on desolate roads, to demand the reinstatement of electricity as their lifeline. Manali and Puzhal remain shrouded in darkness and inundation, devoid of networks and life’s essentials. Seeking refuge in Madhavaram provides little respite amidst unyielding floods. The prolonged suffering, exacerbated by sewage-infused waters, echoes a crisis far worse than past devastations. Kodungaiyur mirrors similar struggles as residents grapple with stagnant water, yearning for drinking water and essential provisions. Lorry services, crucial for aid delivery, stand halted, refusing entry into submerged areas and deepening the residents’ isolation. Amidst this turmoil, Tiruvallur district, ravaged by the cyclone, finds a glimmer of hope. The Adani Foundation and Kattupalli Port management ex
