A red alert has been issued in Tamil Nadu in 20 districts after a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression.
Heavy rain is expected in Chennai, the southern parts of Tamil Nadu as well as in Puducherry and Karaikal..
The government has set up 434 ‘ siren towers’ to alert authorities regarding floods and other emergencies. It is also working with telecom networks to ensure that mobile connectivity is not affected.
Around 46 boats and earth movers and over 500 giant motor pumps have been deployed for rescue efforts and to drain floodwaters. There are 149 relief centres that have been set up. Amma canteens will provide free food while Chennai Corporation will distribute food packets to people in low-lying areas.
Chennai has received heavy rains and is said to be the heaviest since the 2015 floods.
