More than 400 killed and 18 lakh displaced: Revisiting 2015 Chennai floods

In December 2015, Chennai in Tamil Nu was on receiving end of incessant rainfall, which in turn caused city and its suburbs to flood. drowning city witnessed its citizens come toger to rescue people stranded in ir homes as water levels rose to alarming levels. Resultant from heavy rainfall generated by annual norast monsoon, more than 400 people were killed and over 18 lakh individuals were displaced during Chennai floods.

For unversed, a very large area of south India, including whole state of Tamil Nu and coastal regions of Andhra Presh and union territory of Puducherry, receives up to 60 per cent of its annual rainfall from  norast monsoon which falls during winters. Every year from October to December, area receives heavy rainfall due to this. Unlike during regular monsoon, rainfall during norast monsoon is sporic but is almost 90 per cent more effective than regular monsoon.

unusually heavy rainfall during winter of 2015 was attributed to  2014–16 El Niño event, which was accompanied by high air pressure in western Pacific and low air pressure in eastern Pacific. However, in July 2018 Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) presented a report categorising floods caused by Chennai rains as a "man-me disaster". CAG held  Government of Tamil Nu responsible for scale of catastrophe, which government h termed a natural disaster.

Devastation by Chennai rains 

Chennai floods of 2015, brought life in Tamil Nu to a standstill. lack of warning of floods in Chennai me it difficult to relocate thousands and save many. People with disabilities were left to fend for mselves in many places. Loss of life was more in terms of pets and or domestic animals. incessant rains saw city completely inundated with people running up to top floors of buildings for safety.

Chembarambakkam Lake, which was once lifeline of South Chennai as it irrigated 168 villages in district, was blamed for city’s flooding as it overflowed without many warnings. Cars, buildings and personal belongings of hundreds were washed away. During floods, fishermen from across state stepped up to rescue individuals from city. However, many fishermen also lost ir livelihood as ir boats and houses were destroyed. list of tragic incidents which took place during week of Chennai floods is long and Tamil Nu government and local ministrations have ever since been working to avoid such a catastrophe.

Chennai witness ‘heaviest rainfall since 2015'

Several parts in Chennai and its suburban areas reported waterlogging on Sunday morning after heavy rains lashed city. heavy rainfall in Tamil Nu began overnight and continued through morning. showers have now been marked as ‘heaviest downpour since 2015’. Authorities have now sounded a preliminary flood alert to people as two city reservoirs are set to be opened during day, considering ill effects of such heavy showers that caused  Chennai floods in 2015.

As heavy rain continues to cause waterlogging in Chennai and nearby areas, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall in days to come. Sounding a preliminary flood alert, state water resources authorities vised district collectors of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to evacuate people living in low-lying areas. locals here are being moved to safe locations. Meanwhile, Chembarambakkam and Puzhal reservoirs, which serve as important sources of drinking water to Chennai city were opened in order to clear rainwater surplus.  

Image: PTI