Wed Oct 16 17:26:14 UTC 2024: ## Heavy Rains Lash South India, Causing Widespread Flooding and Disruptions

**Chennai, Bengaluru, Tirupati, and other parts of South India are facing severe flooding and disruptions due to heavy rains triggered by a depression in the Bay of Bengal.**

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Chennai and its surrounding areas, predicting extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm. The well-marked low-pressure area has intensified into a depression, which is expected to cross the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore, close to Chennai, in the early hours of Thursday.

**Chennai:**

* The city experienced extremely heavy rainfall on Tuesday, causing widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions.
* The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has housed people living in low-lying areas in relief centers and is providing food and other essentials.
* Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that food will be provided free of cost at Amma Canteens in Chennai on Wednesday and Thursday.
* Floodwater has completely receded in areas under the GCC, according to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.

**Bengaluru:**

* Bengaluru experienced incessant rainfall on Tuesday, leading to flooding in several areas and roads.
* The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has cleared flooding in 102 houses and is providing assistance to affected residents.
* The Namma Metro operations on the Purple line were disrupted due to a tree fall but have since been restored.
* Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has advised people to take precautions and said the government is prepared to deal with the situation.

**Tirupati and Andhra Pradesh:**

* Tirupati and SPSR Nellore districts in Andhra Pradesh have been hit by intense rainfall.
* The coastal mandal of Sullurpeta recorded a huge rainfall of 220.4 mm on Wednesday.
* Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to be on high alert for flash floods in some parts of the state.
* The Andhra Pradesh government’s RTGS has installed nearly 5,000 surveillance cameras to monitor the situation 24/7 in worst-affected districts.

**Other affected areas:**

* Heavy rains have also affected several other districts in Tamil Nadu, including Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu.
* The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has temporarily closed the road leading to the Papavinasanam theertham and the Srivari Mettu footpath route due to heavy rain forecasts.
* The South Western Railway has cancelled some trains in Chennai due to waterlogging.
* The district administrations of Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet, and Tirupattur have identified 137 flood-prone spots and are providing assistance to those living in low-lying areas.

**The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in several places in the South Coast and Rayalaseema, with extremely heavy rainfall likely in some areas. Officials across the affected states are working to provide relief and assistance to affected residents.**

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