TN Rains 2021: Red Alert Issued To Chennai & Delta Regions Amid Political Accusations Between Dravidian Majors

The smart city project in T Nagar led to a war of words between Tamil Nadu CM Stalin and Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami. 

People walking in knee deep water in residential areas of Chennai (Credit: PTI)

Chennai: The Meteorological Department issued red alert to Chennai and delta regions since the low pressure formed in Bay of Bengal intensified into an intense low-pressure area and is likely to soon turn into a depression resulting in very heavy rainfall on Wednesday. In the heavy rains brought cyclonic condition, Nagattinam witnessed 245 mm rainfall while Karaikkal witnessed 273 mm rainfall till 5 AM on Wednesday. 

Due to the rains, the district administration declared rain holiday for schools and colleges to 24 districts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai, Karur, Kalakurichi, Salem, Trichy, Ramnad, Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Virudhunagar and Sivagangai.

Meanwhile, independent weather bloggers predicted rainfall to increase by Wednesday noon or night in Chennai and surrounding districts. Independent weather blogger, Pradeep John of Tamil Nadu Weatherman page said, “More bands are forming now and with ideal conditions in Bay, the (high SST, very low wind shear, high TPW) and favorable MJO, the low should intensify into Depression and Deep Depression tomorrow and reach close to North TN coast on 11th morning.”

“The system has bulk of rains in the western quadrant so as it nears the coast, the rains in delta should reduce from tomorrow morning /noon and then by night heft bands will start fall over Cuddalore - Chennai stretch and lasting till 11th noontime,” he said.

However, in several parts of the city water inundation did not recede yet. The water on arterial roads of T Nagar, which was also earmarked under the smart city project, did not recede for two days even after the place was equipped with stormwater drains. 

Further, the project led to a war of words between Tamil Nadu CM Stalin and Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami. 

Talking to reporters on the smart city project, MK Stalin said, "They (AIADMK) publicized as smart city and have robbed public money. They also claimed to set up stormwater drains and the former Minister of the department has also robbed the money. We will conduct an investigation into the implementation of the smart city project." 

However, Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami denied the allegation leveled against his previous government by Tamil Nadu CM. Palaniswami said, “The AIADMK government will dredge the waterbodies by August. However, DMK government ignored the monsoon preparedness which led to the floods.