Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday said that the state capital Chennai received more rain during Cyclone Michaung than 2015 floods. However, he added that the damages were less as compared to similar situations in the past. Addressing a press conference after the cyclone wreaked havoc in Chennai and adjoining districts, Stalin said the 2015 floods were manmade and this time it was a natural flood.
"Even after receiving heavy rains, the damages are less compared to previous times. The rains received during Cyclone Michaung exceeded the rain we received in 2015. In 2015, the floods were manmade due to the release of water from Chembarambakkam Lake but now it is a natural flood, " he said adding that "Chennai escaped because of our Storm water drain projects".
Chennai received massive rainfall leading to overflowing roads and inundation of many areas. People were seen walking through chest-deep water as waterlogging remained a trouble for the residents even after rain subsided in the region.
On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry on the situation arising due to Cyclone Michaung. He assured them of all necessary central help and said adequate deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel had already been made.
Cyclone Michaung is expected to make landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday and IMD has warned of heavy rainfall with windspeed gusts reaching up to 110 kmph. The weatherman said fishing operations have been suspended and people have been advised to stay indoors.
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