Bright sunshine in many parts of the city and its neighbourhood this morning gave way to dark clouds by the afternoon, with rains resuming in several areas here after a lull. Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswamy took stock of the rain situation on Thursday, a day after two children were electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire submerged in water, in Kodungaiyur locality in Chennai. While the sun had come out in the morning in Chennai and neighbouring Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, by afternoon rain clouds had gathered in many parts. Sharp showers resumed in parts of Chennai like Kodambakkam, Perambur, Guindy, Ennore and T Nagar, besides nearby areas such as Avadi and Tambaram. Palaniswamy held discussions with his cabinet colleagues including Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and senior government officials. “Honourable CM of TN taking stock of situation arising out of #rains (and) giving instructions to Ministers and officers,” a tweet from the official handle of Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Agency said. The meeting came amid reports of downpour in many parts of the southern state, including Nagapattinam, where the monsoon fury has not only inundated low-lying areas, but also affected standing crops. Vaitheeswarankoil and Sirkazhi in the district have also been battered by heavy rains. [caption id=“attachment_4190613” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] With the northeast monsoon remaining active over the state, the MeT has forecast more rains for the next two days. “A low pressure has formed over the southwest Bay of Sri Lanka coast. During the last 24 hours, fairly widespread rainfall occurred over Tamil Nadu,” S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said. In the next two days, moderate rainfall is expected in many places in south Tamil Nadu and a few areas in the north coastal parts of the state, he told reporters. Heavy rainfall is also expected at one or two places over south Tamil Nadu and Cauvery delta districts, Balachandran said, advising fishermen in the coastal areas of the regions to be “cautious”. As far as Chennai is concerned, some light spells of rain are expected in the next two days, he said. The relentless rain in and around Chennai also resulted in an increase in the storage levels of reservoirs supplying drinking water to the city. The combined storage of four reservoirs feeding Chennai — Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam– stood at 1,925 mcft (million cubic feet), as against the full combined capacity of 11,057 mcft, data by the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board said. The combined storage on 2 November, 2016, stood at 1,270 mcft, it said. The storage is likely to go up following the forecast of more rain, and with the ongoing north-east monsoon scheduled to last till December. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar on Thursday condoled the death of two children who were electrocuted at Kodungaiyur yesterday. He expressed his condolences to the families of Yuvasri and Bhavana, who died after coming in contact with a live wire submerged in stagnant water. The minister told reporters that the government would not tolerate any “laxity” on such issues and pointed out that eight officials of TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited) had been suspended in connection with the incident.
Chennai rains as it happened: Chief Minister Palaniswamy visits RK Nagar, speaks to affected people
Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswamy took stock of the rain situation on Thursday, a day after two children were electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire submerged in water, in Kodungaiyur locality in Chennai.
 "Chennai rains as it happened: Chief Minister Palaniswamy visits RK Nagar, speaks to affected people")
Visuals of water-logging across Tamil Nadu
Water-logging in various areas of #TamilNadu: Visuals of flooding in village areas of #Nagapattinam pic.twitter.com/aF057Kfp96
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017
Spell of rains expected in Chennai, downpour has started in Adambakkam area, reports SkymetWeather
Clouds approaching #Chennai, #ChennaiRains2017 may begin soon. #ChennaiFloodTrap #chennaifloodbath pic.twitter.com/j0OVGEPxsN
— Skymet (@SkymetWeather) November 3, 2017
#ChennaiRains NowCast by Skymet Weather CEO @JATINSKYMET Rainy spell approaching #ChennaiRains2017 #ChennaiFloodTrap https://t.co/dONnX49alb
— Skymet (@SkymetWeather) November 3, 2017
Aerial footage of Chennai submerged in floods
#EXCLUSIVE CNN-News18 accesses drone shots of areas in Chennai submerged in water. Schools,colleges are shut & IT companies declared holiday pic.twitter.com/hNWHo3GC1y
— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 3, 2017
Actors form relief operation teams
Actors M Nasser, Vishal and Si Karthi have formed teams to help people affected by the Chennai rains, reports Times of India. Affected individuals can reach out through the contact numbers: 9710444442 and 7904084228.
Actors asso @actorvishalk @actorkarthi @naser forms teams help rain affected ppl Cnt: 9710444442 , 7904084228 Cheers pandavas @aselvarajTOI pic.twitter.com/KeJxrAMwgT
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) November 3, 2017
Some IT companies allow employees to work from home
Some Information Technology companies located on the IT Corridor allowed their employees to work from their homes in view of torrential rains that lashed the city, an industry official said.
According to industry sources, some IT companies have “voluntarily” allowed employees to work from home if there was water-logging in the localities where they reside. – PTI
Dry reservoirs filling up due to rains: Officials
IANS quoted some officials as saying that the dry reservoirs that cater to the drinking needs of the people of Chennai are now filling up due to rains.
Water enters Chromepet hospital
Water entered Tambaram Taluk Government Hospital in Chromepet, forcing doctors and staff to shift patients to a higher floor, The Times of India had reported.
Chief Minister Palaniswamy meets people affected by rains
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy visited RK Nagar along with state Ministers, interacted with people affected #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/BSK3JfTzPN
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017
Low-pressure area over Sri Lanka to blame for Chennai rains
Skymet weather reported that the non-stop rainfall in Chennai can be attributed to the low-pressure area building over Sri Lanka and the adjoining Coast. This is expected to persist over the area and weaken gradually, the report said.
File status report on steps taken: Madras HC to Tamil Nadu government
After heavy rain continued to lash Chennai, the Madras High Court on Friday asked the Tamil Nadu government to file a status report on the steps taken, reported CNN-News18.
Power down in various parts of the city
Tamil Nadu electricity minister P Thangamani told The Hindu that power has been shutdown in 70 localities across the city which have been identified as “low lying areas”.
“But in most of the areas power supply is being maintained,” the report quoted him as saying.
Jet Airways waives penalties for date or flight change
#9Wupdate: Due to rains in #Chennai, we’ve issued waiver on penalties for date/flight change, refund & no-show on confirmed tickets (1/2)
— Jet Airways (@jetairways) November 3, 2017
for travel to/from Chennai on 3rd November, 2017.
— Jet Airways (@jetairways) November 3, 2017
Pls check your flight status on our site or app - https://t.co/aT3wpZexyr (2/2)
Respite for Chennai as radar image shows rains have taken a break
#ChennaiRains2017: Latest #radar image of #Chennai shows that #Chennairains have taken a break. Expect showers by evening. #chennaifloodbath #ChennaiFloodTrap @tnsdma pic.twitter.com/QIaSTbjke6
— Skymet (@SkymetWeather) November 3, 2017
State government sanctioned Rs 835 lakh for 189 pre-monsoon projects: Report
The tasks listed in the Tamil Nadu government order accessed by CNN-News18 include desilting of debris, waste materials and acquatic weed in major waterways and tanks in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore districts.
Tamil Nadu government released fund for pre-monsoon work after deluge: Report
According to documents accessed by CNN-News18, the Public Works Department of Chennai sanctioned funds for “pre-monsoon” work only on 30 October, the day that most parts of the city started flooding.
Rain might stop for a few hours during the day: IMD
The IMD predicted that the rains in Chennai might stop for a few hours but there are chances of heavy rains in the evening, NewsMinute reported.
Waterlogging a perennial problem in Kolathur
Massive water-logging in parts of #TamilNadu followed by heavy rainfall: Visuals from #Chennai's Sunnambu Kolathur area pic.twitter.com/9C8UWGWC38
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017
We are facing a tough situation,moreover this happens every year.Govt has to take steps towards betterment: Local,Sunnambu Kolathur #Chennai pic.twitter.com/3mTbN4wxQG
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017
Tamil Nadu minister KP Anbazhagan visits flood affected areas of Chennai
#TamilNadu Minister KP Anbalagan visited water-logged areas in #Chennai's Kovilambakkam pic.twitter.com/TolPLexhNs
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017
Rain has come all of a sudden. This is nature's fury, you must understand. We're working on a war footing to clear water:KP Anbalagan,TN Min pic.twitter.com/4YLpIIQo3l
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017
Now we have worked out Rs 600 crore master plan which will work in various ways to drain out the water: K P Anbalagan,#TamilNadu Minister
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017
Heavy rains impact coastal economy
According to News18, more than 10,000 fishermen did not venture into the sea for the fifth consecutive day. Salt production in Vedaranyam area has come to a standstill as saltpans in 10,000 acres of land remain submerged.
Tamil Nadu minister visits Nagapattinam
News18 reported that Tamil Nadu Handlooms Minister OS Manian, accompanied by Nagapattinam District Collector C Sureshkumar, visited several rain-hit areas in the district and inspected relief works.
Notably, Thalaignayiru, Vedaranyam and Nagapattinam Taluks in the district have been experiencing heavy rains.
Another electrocution in Tamil Nadu
Rain fury continues in parts of Tamil Nadu. Days after two minor girls were electrocuted, a similar incident took away the life of a farmer, News18 reported.
DId 2015 debacle help TN officials be prepared for Cyclone Vardah in 2016?
The Wire reported that after the 2015 floods, the response by municipal bodies to the Cyclone Vardah the very next year was quicker. Nearly 20,000 trees were uprooted at the time. The civic authorities cleared off the trees and restored power, phone and Internet connectivity faster than the previous year.
E Palaniswamy gets into overdrive
According to NDTV, Chief Minister E Palaniswamy’s government has kept 115 multi-purpose shelters ready in the coastal districts. Local ministers and three senior bureaucrats have been designated for each district to co-ordinate rescue and expedite relief. In Chennai, two ministers have been designated for each zone to expedite relief.
The torrential rain came close to breaking an almost 100-year-old record for the city, prompting deployment of defence forces for relief and rescue operations. Overflowing lakes and breaches in bunds caused considerable damage forcing people to flee the areas. Lakes in Mudichur, Vardarajapuram, West Tambaram, Manivakkam flooded the areas throwing life completely out of gear.
Flood waters engulf M Karunanidhi’s Gopalpuram residence
Chennai waterlogged again: this pic from outside DMK chief Karunanidhi residence. Authorities act when netas affected! pic.twitter.com/nxujdGrQ8m
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) November 3, 2017
Madras HC pulls up Tamil Nadu government
The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs 10 Lakh as compensation to the families of the two girls who were elctrocuted on Wednesday. Two girls, aged 7 and 8 were electrocuted when they stepped on a power cable hidden under stagnant rain water.
According to The Hindu, 347 people, 17.64 lakh cattle died and 1.16 lakh huts were damaged, forcing the late chief minister to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and declaring the Tamil Nadu floods as a “national calamity” and a “calamity of severe nature”.
DMK spokesperson Manu Sundaram slammed the Tamil Nadu government for not doing enough to stop a repetition of what took place during the 2015 floods. “Each week, the state government seems to be facing a new crisis. After just 12 hours of rains, Chennai city has brought back unhappy memories of 2015 floods. The government is ill-prepared and ill-equipped to handle another monsoon. Chennai and its residents may once again have to rise up to save each other,” he told India Today.
MK Stalin leaves for Dubai
According to media reports, DMK working president MK Stalin has left to attend a book fair in UAE amid the ongoing flooding in Chennai.
DMK working president MK Stalin going on a personal visit to London via Dubai: Party Sources pic.twitter.com/LuqBY66xfS
— Mahalingam Ponnusamy (@mahajournalist) November 3, 2017
Suburban railway service is running more or less on time
According to The Hindu, there is no major disruption in services, except for some minor delays. According to the report, the section between Kodambakkam and St Thomas Mount was affected by signalling problems from 9.30 pm on Thursday night. The problem was set right and the section restored at 03. 20 am on Friday.
Greenways Road, the area where Palaniswamy lives, is under water
தமிழக முதல்வர் இல்லம் அமைந்திருக்கும் பகுதியில் உள்ள சாலையில் தேங்கியுள்ள மழைநீர் pic.twitter.com/TAIxs7BERg
— Stalin SP (@Stalin__SP) November 3, 2017
People try to catch fish after a compound wall collapsed in Redhills following heavy rainfall
Image courtesy PTI
Congress leader Khushbu Sundar slammed the authorities for laxity
Speaking to NDTV, Khushbu said, “Where were the government officials back then and even now. It is the NGOs who are doing the good work. They are providing people with food and medicines. Why did the municipal officials dig the road before the monsoon? This will be threatening to motorists during the monsoon.”
Good samirtans take to Twitter to help Chennai residents
People stranded around Nungambakkam area can use the Big FM office to stay for the night. Have informed ppl thre. Address in next tweet.
— RJB (@RJ_Balaji) November 2, 2017
Address - Big FM, 152/153, azam arcade, (dominos building), kodambakkam high road, nungambakkam, chennai-600034. Landmark - opp to palmgrove
— RJB (@RJ_Balaji) November 2, 2017
Chennai gets back its power supply
Hindustan Times reports that power supply, which was cut as a precautionary measure on Thursday, was restored on Friday.
Flight operations normal
According to Hindustan Times, flight operations at the airport are running normally despite the occasional rains.
Don’t believe in any of the rumours, says minister
State minister RB Udhaya Kumar says none of the lakes across Tamil Nadu have overflown yet. Speaking to media persons, he urged people to not believe in any of these rumours and said that none of the lakes are full yet.
The two girls, aged 7 and 8, died after stepping on a snapped electric wire lying under water, ANI reported on Tuesday. Three electricity board officials in Chennai were suspended following the incident.
Citizens protest government apathy
Hindustan Times reported that residents of Mudichur held protests, sitting in stagnant water, blaming the officials and government for doing nothing even as water entered their homes.
“Rainfall activity will continue over north coastal Tamil Nadu with heavy to very heavy rain over Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chennai districts during the next 24 hours,” a special bulletin issued at 8.30 am said on Friday.
PTI
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