Heavy rains continued to wreak havoc in parts of northern Tamil Nadu, and the death toll due to rain-related incidents has mounted to 4 on Tuesday. More than 2 lakh acres of standing crops suffered damage in the remnant of cyclonic storm, and Revenue Minister K K S S R Ramachandran has announced a compensation of Rs 20,000 per hectare for farmers who suffered losses.
The deep depression weakened into a depression and is very likely to become a well-marked low-pressure area, the India Meteorological Department said. The weather department has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in several districts, including the Nilgiris on Wednesday.
Revenue Minister Ramachandran was quoted as saying by PTI that crops raised in 2.11 lakh acres were destroyed, and 582 heads of cattle died. As many as 1,601 huts/tenements were damaged, and four people died due to rain-related incidents, he said, adding the government would provide a relief of Rs 20,000 per hectare to farmers for crop loss due to rains.
What caused damage to Chennai
It was the remnant of cyclonic storm Ditwah over the southwest Bay of Bengal that led to torrential rain, which further caused inundation in several parts of Chennai and several suburban areas in the northern districts of Chengelpet, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur. Several residential areas in Vyasarpadi and northern parts of Chennai also reported waterlogging.
Traffic was hit as water gushed through the roads in Perambur, Raja Annamalaipuram, Ashok Nagar, Velachery, Kathipara, Perungudi, Choolaimedu, T Nagar, and Saidapet areas.
The Greater Chennai Corporation said it has deployed about 22,000 personnel, including officials, to carry out rain-related work, which includes removal of clogs in the drains, clearing fallen tree branches, and bailing out water. Meanwhile, a parked car suffered damage after a wall of a house collapsed in the aftermath of rain in Chetpet. No casualties were reported.
Ennore recorded a maximum of 26 cm of rainfall while Pallikaranai received a minimum of 10.5 cm in the last 24 hours.