With heavy rains expected in parts of Tamil Nadu and a red alert issued for October 7, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued further alerts.
S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre of the Regional Meteorological Centre, stated that heavy rains are expected in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala up until Monday, October 8. He further added that low pressure areas would form on Monday and urged fishermen to avoid venturing into the Arabian Sea as it posed a risk to them.
On Friday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami met with met with officials from the IMD in view of the red alert for Sunday and took stock of the preparations in place to deal with the rains.
மாண்புமிகு தமிழக முதல்வர் அவர்கள் தலைமையில், இன்று தலைமை செயலகத்தில் இந்திய வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் தமிழகத்தில் 7.10.2018 அன்று சில இடங்களில் அதிதீவிர கனமழை பெய்யக்கூடும் என எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்ததையொட்டி, எடுக்கப்பட வேண்டிய முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்து ஆய்வுக்கூட்டம் நடைபெற்றது. pic.twitter.com/oS3Y2UGYKf
— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@CMOTamilNadu) October 5, 2018
According to the IMD’s map, the entire state is under the alert category on Sunday, meaning the state must brace for heavy rainfall.
The IMD also predicted showers for the next few weeks. In districts in which the downpour is expected to be particularly heavy, such as Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Cuddalore, officials have been sent to assess the situation and take precautionary measures as needed to keep the public safe.
The government has also recruited around 3,000 volunteers to help in shifting people in flood-prone localities to a safe zone until the rains pass.
Chennai, in particular, is expected to see heavy rains for the next 3 days. Following Thursday’s rains in the city, several reports of waterlogging have been noted. Water stagnation in parts of north Chennai has also been reported following the downpour on Thursday night.
The IMD also stated that parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Lakshadweep were expected to witness heavy rains and thunderstorms for the next 45 days.
Fishermen in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been warned not to venture into the sea. They have been asked to avoid south Kerala coast, Lakshadweep area, Comorin area, southeast Arabian sea and Central Arabian sea between Friday, October 5 and Monday, October 8.