Tamil Nadu rain: Udhayanidhi Stalin conducts inspection, NDRF teams on standby

With heavy rains lashing Chennai and surrounding districts, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visits the state emergency operations Centre to take stock of the ground situation in the wake of heavy rains in different parts of the state.
The visit comes as Tamil Nadu braces for more intense rainfall, with a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal expected to strengthen into a depression by October 17, impacting north Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions.
The city recorded 4.6 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Vadapalani receiving the highest at 6.2 cm, followed by Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam. Several areas reported water stagnation, prompting the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to deploy motors to remove floodwaters, particularly in low-lying areas such as Pulianthope and Vyasarpadi.
Udhayanidhi Stalin had conducted a late-night inspection of flood-prone areas to monitor the city’s preparedness. During his late-night inspection, Udhayanidhi Stalin visited key locations, including Pallikaranai, Mylapore, and his Chepauk constituency, assessing the flood mitigation efforts. “We examined how the banks of Narayanapuram Lake were strengthened and reviewed the desilting work,” he said, interacting with local residents to understand their concerns.
A 30-member NDRF team from Arakkonam arrived in Chennai on Monday, October 14 ahead of the predicted heavy rainfall, with an additional 300 personnel on standby.
The team, equipped with scuba gear, rubber boats, chainsaws, and protective suits for debris and chemical leak rescues, is stationed at a community hall in Pudupet in Chennai district.
Inspector AK Chauhan confirmed the team is on 24/7 alert, with all leaves cancelled, so that the teams can respond to emergencies within 20 minutes.
Chennai Corporation Commissioner had previously informed that adequate measures are in place in view of the heavy rains.
According to the Commissioner, 990 pumps and 57 tractors equipped with pump sets were ready to drain water from waterlogged areas, apart from the 36 motorised boats located in vulnerable areas. He also said that 169 relief centres with adequate cooking facilities have been kept ready. Other equipment include JCBs, wood cutters and generators made available for any other emergency situation.
As a precaution, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced school and college closures in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts on October 15, while suggesting that IT companies allow “work from home” from October 15-18.
The Chief Minister also instructed the NDRF and SDRF teams to be ready to reach vulnerable areas on priority, keep boats in low-lying areas, and assign monitoring officers to reach the designated districts immediately. Stalin also ordered that metro and flying train frequencies be increased for the public’s benefit and to ensure that there is no food price inflation. He also ordered that milk and other essential items be available without any hurdles.
State School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi took to asking board officers to call off online classes from students too.
Amid the panic caused by heavy rainfall, car owners in a Chennai locality parked their vehicles on the Velachery bridge saying they didn’t want their cars to be damaged in waterlogging. Despite traffic police warnings about potential fines, many refuse to move their cars. The traffic police later decided against the fines and helped the residents park in a systematic manner.
With rainfall expected to continue in Tamil Nadu until October 17, authorities urge residents to stay alert and follow safety advisories. For emergency assistance, the public can contact the helpline at 1913 for information on relief centres and flood aid.