Flood alert sounded in TN's Theni, adjourning low lying areas amid heavy rainfall

Chennai: The authorities on Tuesday issued a flood warning for Theni district and adjourning low-lying areas amid the incessant rainfall in Tamil Nadu.

"Authorities have issued a final flood warning for Theni and adjourning low-lying areas and released 1000 cusecs of water from Vaigai dam tonight," said Vaigai dam's Assistant Engineer Selvam.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu government declared local holidays on November 10 and 11 for nine districts - Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai -- after the weather department predicted heavy rains for the next couple of days.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast another bout of heavy rains to hit on November 10-11.

Meanwhile, Rameswaram received 30.5 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, Pamban 12.4 mm and Thangachimadam received 10.2 mm rainfall. 

The rains that are continuing for the last few days in the southern state has also led to the death of five people and the destruction of as many as 538 huts and four houses.

With the onset of northeastern rains, Chennai received the heaviest rains in the past six years, recalling the 2015 floods. It resulted in flooding in the central and northern parts of the city. 

Fishermen have been advised not to go towards south Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu coast and the adjacent Sri Lanka coast till November 11.

The IMD has said the rain can lead to flooding of roads, inundation and waterlogging in low-lying areas; low visibility; disruption of traffic; damage to vulnerable structures; localised landslides/mudslides; and damage to crops.

The Chennai Meteorological Centre has also forecast thunderstorms with heavy rain at isolated places in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai districts.

The Madras High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Greater Chennai Corporation for failing to take adequate measures to prevent flooding in the city during rain.