Chennai rains: At least five dead after heavy downpour
- Published
Chennai has recorded the highest rainfall since 2015
At least five people have died after heavy showers triggered severe flooding in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The state's capital, Chennai, is severely affected as officials have evacuated hundreds of people from their homes.
This is the heaviest rainfall in the city since 2015.
Officials say more rain is expected in the next two days and it could trigger further flooding in low-lying areas.
Local media footage showed uprooted trees and cars submerged as water quickly rose to block roads.
Although Chennai is frequently hit with heavy rains this time of the year, experts say unchecked development and bad urban planning leads to the destruction and chaos. Climate change caused by global warming has also contributed to the problem, making extreme rainfall more likely and more frequent.
Parts of Chennai has been facing power cuts as the power department shut off supply to avoid incidents of electrocution.
Footage showed people being rescued on rubber boats as muddy brown waters gushed into their homes. The National Disaster Response Force and the army are helping in the rescue work.
Others were seen wading through knee-deep water to get essential commodities. Most of the main streets have been waterlogged since Saturday, bringing the city to a standstill.
Several people on social media said the situation was as grim as the floods of 2015, when over 200 people had lost their lives in the state.
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All schools and colleges in Chennai and neighbouring districts have been shut and officials have advised against travelling in the hazardous conditions. Fishermen along the coast have also been asked not to venture into the sea.
Chennai's municipality said it had opened up relief centres and medical camps across the city and was distributing food to flood victims.
Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister MK Stalin said he had asked all his ministers to help in recovery efforts.
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