Heavy Rainfall Brings Relief to Tamil Nadu Amid Low-Pressure System

Strategic Insights -

Heavy rainfall brought by two low-pressure systems in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal caused isolated but not widespread damage in Tamil Nadu on October 22. Despite initial warnings of potential devastation, the low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal did not intensify, and the red alert issued for 8 districts was downgraded to 3 districts, including Chennai. The city corporation has readied 251 relief camps in Chennai, with 22,000 personnel on the field to assist with the north east monsoon. The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) issued a high alert for residents living along the Adyar and Kosasthalaiyar rivers after increasing the surplus water released.

Key Takeaways:

  • Despite initial warnings, the low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal did not intensify, and the red alert issued for 8 districts was downgraded to 3 districts, including Chennai.
  • The city corporation has readied 251 relief camps in Chennai to assist with the north east monsoon, with 22,000 personnel on the field.
  • The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) issued a high alert for residents living along the Adyar and Kosasthalaiyar rivers after increasing the surplus water released.
  • Heavy rainfall was reported in most places across Tamil Nadu, with Periya Kalapet in Puducherry recording the highest of 25 cm rainfall, followed by Cuddalore and Thiruvallur districts with 18cm and 17cm rainfall respectively.
  • The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) reported 22,000 personnel including officers, engineers, and sanitation workers on the field in Chennai for the north east monsoon.
  • The inflow into the reservoir stood at 2,170 cusecs as of 6 am, increasing following continuous rainfall, and the water level rose to 20.84 feet.
  • Residents were cautioned to be cautious due to rising water levels in the Adyar river, but were advised not to panic.

Statistics:

  • 251 relief camps have been readied in Chennai by the city corporation.
  • 22,000 personnel, including officers, engineers, and sanitation workers, are on the field in Chennai for the north east monsoon.
  • The water level in the reservoir rose to 20.84 feet on Wednesday, up from 18.52 feet last week.
  • The reservoir has a full capacity of 24 feet and 3,645 million cubic feet.
  • The inflow into the reservoir stood at 2,170 cusecs as of 6 am, with 500 cubic feet per second (cusecs) released as surplus water.
  • Periya Kalapet in Puducherry reported the highest rainfall of 25 cm, followed by Cuddalore and Thiruvallur districts with 18cm and 17cm rainfall respectively.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times, October 23, 2022
  • Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai
  • Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD)
  • Greater Chennai Corporation
  • Kanchipuram district collector Kalaiselvi Mohan
  • HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times