Chennai: Madras High Court has pulled up the Chennai civic body for not taking measures since the 2015 floods, for after the huge flooding the city has been struggling with for the last four days.
The court warned that it would take up the matter on its own if the situation does not improve by Saturday.
“What have you been doing since 2015 floods? It is a pity that half the year we long for water and rest of the year we are flooded or die in water,” the court observed while hearing a plea for clearing of encroachments.
The Chennai Corporation has deployed 41 boats to rescue people in vulnerable low-lying areas in case of flooding. The meteorological department has warned about heavy to very heavy rainfall today.
Chennai and several suburbs in Chengelpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts have witnessed heavy rainfall since Saturday, turning out to be one of the heaviest in recent years. Most roads and bylanes are flooded and neighbourhoods are without power supply.
Five people have died due to rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu and over 260 huts and 70 houses have been damaged.
“5 deaths in Tamil Nadu due to rain. 538 huts damaged, 4 houses fully damaged. More damage expected if rain intensifies,” KKSSR Ramachandran, Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister quoted to ANI
To clear waterlogging and subways, Greater Chennai Corporation has deployed 23,000 personnel. Of the 16 city subways that were flooded, water has been drained in 14 of them, PTI quoted authorities as saying.
In Chennai, 1,107 people have been sheltered in 48 relief camps and over 3,50,000 food packets have been provided. In the northern districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Chengelpet and Tiruvallur, 314 people have been housed in 10 shelters.
Since the start of the northeast monsoon last month, Tamil Nadu has recorded about 43 per cent rainfall above normal.
Chief minister MK Stalin continued to inspect rain-affected areas of Kolathur and Villivakkam in Chennai and distribute food and relief materials to the needy people.
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