The Hindu Business Line : Downpour causes flooding in Chennai

Chennai, which was recovering from the unprecedented rains last week, was further drenched on Sunday with more rains expected in the next 48 hours. Between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. the city received over 5 - 6 cm rain in addition to 10 cm in the preceding 24 hrs.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, rain and thundershowers will be prevalent over most part of Tamil Nadu over the next two days.

In Chennai, there would be intermittent rains with heavy spells.

The rains follow the record-breaking spell the city experienced on October 26 and 27 when it received over 37 cm of rains with an additional 18.7 cm on October 28.

This heavy and intense downpour caused severe flooding in the city.

Chennai has received almost its entire quota of rainfall that it receives from the northeast monsoon from just these heavy spells at the beginning of the season.

It has received over 71 cm of rain compared to the normal of about 75 cm.

Industrial areas, including Ambattur on the western outskirts of the city and Guindy in the south were knee-deep in water.

Entrepreneurs expressed concern that if the rains continue the flooding could further hit the units. The outlook appears bleak, they said.

According to the President of the Chennai District Small-Scale Industries Association, Mr T.V. Hariharane, the extent of damage could only be assessed tomorrow.

Most units had been operating on Saturday but following the rains today there was knee-deep water in the industrial estate.

If the rains continue the situation could become desperate, he said.

According to Mr Shashidar Rao, President, Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association, in the Ambattur industrial area, which was severely hit during the heavy and incessant rains ten days ago, water logging continues and manufacturing remains affected.

Most of the 2,000 manufacturing units have suffered damage to raw materials and products, he said.

The damage could run into crores of rupees and they would be able survive this situation only with State Government assistance, he said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page