Chennai Floods: Worst Rainfall in a Century Brings City to Its Knees

Strategic Insights -

Extremely heavy rainfall battered Chennai, India's fourth most populous metropolis, for four days, causing widespread flooding that shut down the airport, factories, and trains, leaving thousands of people stranded. The Indian Navy's air base at Arakkonam was readied for commercial flights to evacuate passengers, while the authorities deployed military personnel and machinery for a massive peacetime rescue operation. Residents formed human chains to traverse treacherous roads, sought help on social media, and dug in at flooded areas. The city's infrastructure and economy were severely impacted, with over 200 people injured and stocks of major carmakers taking a significant hit.

Key Takeaways:

  • The heaviest rainfall in a century, exceeding 60 cm in 24 hours, caused widespread flooding in Chennai, leaving thousands stranded.
  • The Indian Navy's air base at Arakkonam was readied for commercial flights to evacuate passengers from the shut-down civil airport.
  • Military personnel and machinery were deployed for a massive peacetime rescue operation, with over 200 people injured.
  • Residents formed human chains to traverse treacherous roads, while seeking help on social media and digging in at flooded areas.
  • Automobile companies in the region faced significant losses, with stocks taking a hit.
  • The city's power grid was severely impacted, with many neighborhoods without electricity.
  • ATMs were closed due to power outages, causing panic buying.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi blamed climate change for the deluge, highlighting the vulnerability of tropical nations like India to extreme weather.
  • The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) met to line up resources for Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.
  • Parliamentarians contributed to the state government's relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Statistics:

  • Over 200 people were injured in the past 24 hours due to flooding.
  • The city received as much as 60 cm of rainfall in 24 hours, making it the heaviest rainfall in a century.
  • The airport was shut down for at least 4 days.
  • Over 1,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen were deployed for rescue operations.
  • 4 districts in Tamil Nadu were affected by the extreme weather.
  • The deluge in the region outside Chennai affected major carmakers, causing significant losses.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times (c) HT Media Ltd, copyright, SyndiGate Media Inc., sndygateg.info