Even as cyclone Michaung has weakend into a deep depression, parts of Tamil Nadu are still reeling under its severe aftermath. State capital, Chennai, is among the worst affected areas. Parts of northern Chennai have reported total blackout, acute drinking water shortage. On Wednesday, residents took to waterlogged streets complaining lack of government sincerity towards resolving this weather linked crisis. The situation has caused significant distress among residents. At Shanthi Nagar in Vyasarpadi, around 100 residents staged a protest, highlighting the absence of their ward councillor and MLA J Sudhakar, media reports say.
Talking to FE Digital, a vyasarpadi resident said that this situation after cyclone Michaung is worse than the 2015 deluge. Chennai also added that there has been no electricity for the last 24 hours, no drinking water supply and complete blackout of mobile internet.
Many people living in Northern Chennai say that no steps have been taken to pump out the water. The stagnant water can lead to other health issues.The residents’ concerns extended beyond waterlogging, with reports of snakes entering houses, creating an additional layer of fear and discomfort. In another protest at Old Washermenpet, residents voiced their frustrations about knee-deep water persisting in the ground floor of houses.
Many areas such as MKB Nagar, Cross Streets, Central Cross, West Cross, Mullai Nagar Main Road, Kodungaiyur, close to Captain Cotton Canal, remain flooded, impacting hundreds of families. Captain Cotton Canal overflowed, leading to the closure of Basin Bridge and main roads. Perambur faced flooded roads, making places like BB Road, Ganeshpuram, and Kalyanapuram Road inaccessible.
Despite water receding in some parts, major roads and links are still underwater, disrupting vehicular movement outside the core city limit. EVR Periyar Salai and Perambur barracks road are closed due to heavy inundation. A media report says that In Arunthathiyar Nagar near Vyasarpadi, several streets are without power and the food supply has been cut off.