Heavy rains lash Chennai and neighbouring districts
As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rains have again lashed Chennai and its adjoining districts, as well as several other areas in north Tamilnadu.
As a result, schools and colleges in the affected areas were shut on Thursday.
To prevent any untoward incident, units from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire and rescue, police, and the health department are on standby.
In a statement, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) said it has already placed motor pumps in the low-lying areas of the state capital to prevent water stagnation.
The GCC said that it was removing plastic and other garbage to prevent the blockage of drains, adding that around 5,700 metric tonnes of garbage is removed on a daily basis from various parts of Chennai.
The Corporation has also coordinated with the state fisheries department for the use of fishing boats if water logging takes place.