TN update: Water level recedes, outbreak of diseases and hygiene biggest concern

One of main problems after the water receded has been to control the spread of diseases
TN update: Water level recedes, outbreak of diseases and hygiene biggest concern
TN update: Water level recedes, outbreak of diseases and hygiene biggest concern
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The water has receded from Tamil Nadu's capital of Chennai as people make an effort to return to their normal lives.

Schools and colleges are expected to remain closed till Wednesday, even as the city saw some sun-light after many days on Monday morning.

Many flights took off and trains resumed their regular schedule as people got back to work.

One of main problems after the water receded has been to control the spread of diseases.

The Hindu reported that piles of garbage had been swept up by the flood waters, sewage had entered homes and where the flood waters have not yet receded, there is an unbearable stench. In some areas, people have spotted carcasses floating by, and rodents and snakes run riot in abandoned homes. The situation is ripe for an epidemic if the state is not prepared, public health experts have warned.

The Met department has predicted that Chennai will see slight rainfall, so will other areas like Kanchipuram and Cuddalore. However, areas like Tiruvallur and Tirunelveli are expected to receive heavy rain on Tuesday.

After a long time, some parts of Tamil Nadu including Erode, Salem annd Vellore are predicted to be 'dry'.

In Chennai, the interior areas of Mudichur, Manali, Semmenchery, Pallikaranai, Thiruvekaadhu are still waterlogged, so are parts of Vyasarpaadi, Porur, CIT nagar, KK nagar, Nandanam (towards SIET college) and T Nagar. Water has been pumped out of many places, but the resulting debris yet to be cleared.

Many railway stations have become a welcome source of refuge for those in distress. People in Pallavan nagar for instance, near the Cooum, have taken refuge in Chintadripet railway station.

The Indian Express reported that the floods left many people traumatized as counsellors and psychiatrists have started receiving numerous calls from people facing an emotional breakdown in the wake of the calamity. While some of these callers were left broken by the deaths of their loved ones, others were struggling to come to terms with the fact that the calamity hit them even though they acquired all kinds of social securities.

Meanwhile, the Government of India on Monday announced that all passports damaged or lost due to the torrential rains in Chennai, will be replaced free of charge.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "If your passport is lost or damaged in floods, pl go to any of three Passport Seva Kendra's in Chennai. They will issue u fresh passport free of charge."

The IT sector also faced a loss as the rain not only hampered production process for days, but also triggered a shortage of essential supplies for production to resume. 

Reports also added that over 165 BSE-listed companies worth over Rs 285,000 crore that run operations in Chennai have been hit.

The Times of India reported that mobile phones crackled back to life and people were talking long hours sharing woes and exchanging hopes. ATMs and petrol filling stations opened to long queues. At the last count by police, the state-wide casualty stood at 427, including 134 in Chennai, but the toll is likely to be higher.

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