South Chennai’s flood-vulnerable zones, including Mudichur, Varadharajapuram, Rayappan Nagar, and Tambaram suburbs, saw residents move belongings to upper floors Sunday in response to IMD’s orange alert for October 27-28. Households transferred furniture, appliances, and essential documents to first floors and terraces as dual weather systems over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea intensified moisture inflow. The precautionary measures follow severe inundation in 2023 that caused extensive damage to property.

Revathy, a resident of Varadharajapuram, reported losses exceeding ₹2 lakh last year, including a refrigerator, cot, and television. She initiated relocation immediately upon weather warnings, securing electronics in plastic and elevating items on raised platforms. Neighbor Jose submitted evidence of 12 stormwater canals encroached by private developers, with complaints filed to Tambaram Corporation since 2022 remaining unaddressed. Satellite imagery revealed blocked drainage paths now obstructed by construction waste.

Chief Minister MK Stalin conducted an on-site inspection of the Adyar River Sunday morning, reviewing desilting operations at 47 critical locations. During a video conference with district officials, he directed deployment of 500 high-capacity pumpsets, activation of 1,000 relief centers, and establishment of multilingual helplines. An allocation of ₹5 crore was approved for emergency sandbagging and water rescue units. Real-time GIS mapping identified 200 high-risk micro-zones, including Perumbakkam’s encroached lake beds.

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The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai forecast rainfall of 10-15 cm within six hours across coastal districts, issuing orange alerts for Ramanathapuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Puducherry until Wednesday. Greater Chennai Corporation mobilized 2,000 sandbags, 300 motorboats, and three NDRF teams in Velachery, Madipakkam, and Sholinganallur. Long-term demands include desilting 164 km of macro drains, restoration of 47 lost water bodies, and removal of 300 illegal structures along Adyar and Cooum floodplains. Upper floors currently serve as primary refuge.

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