Heavy rainfall has been wreaking havoc in various parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the past 24 hours. Velankanni, a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, recorded a maximum rainfall of 17 cm during this time period. This intense rainfall is a result of a low-pressure area that has formed over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjacent Andaman Seas.
The upper atmospheric circulation prevailing in the Southwest Bay of Bengal has led to widespread rain in many places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal in recent days. Nagai district has been experiencing non-stop heavy rain for 16 hours. Apart from Velankanni, Nannilam, Cuddalore, Parangipettai, Chidambaram, Nagai, and Kodiakkarai are among the areas that have received significant rainfall.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings for very heavy rain in six districts, including Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Thiruvannamalai, Nagai, and Thanjavur. Additionally, districts such as Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Trichy, and Pudukottai are likely to experience heavy rain.
As a result of the heavy rainfall, the diploma college exams scheduled for today in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been postponed. The Chennai Municipal Corporation has also announced helpline numbers for rain-related complaints. People can contact 044-25619206, 044-25619207, and 044-25619208 or use the toll-free helpline number 1913 for assistance. Additionally, individuals can reach out through WhatsApp at 94454 77205 and use the hashtags #ChennaiCorporation or #ChennaiRains to complain on social media.
The rising water levels in the Mettur dam have also raised concerns, as 3297 cubic feet of water per second is reaching the dam. In Mayiladuthurai district, intermittent moderate rains have caused a sand pile placed for four-lane road work near Thirukkadaiyur to collapse onto the National Highway, affecting traffic.
Overall, the heavy rains and ensuing complications have led to a flurry of activity and concerns in the affected areas, and residents are advised to stay alert and seek assistance if needed.