Cyclone Michaung: Chennai Schools Colleges to Remain shut for Another Day 08 December 2023!

Cyclone Michaung

In the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, the repercussions continue to unfold in Chennai and its surrounding districts. The Tamil Nadu government has taken a decisive step by declaring a holiday for all schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu on Thursday. This extends to specific taluks—Pallavaram, Tambaram, Vandalur, Thiruporur, Chengalpattu, and Thirukazhukundram—where educational institutions will also remain closed. The situation is dire, prompting the government to prioritize safety and recovery efforts.

Chennai Schools Colleges to Remain Shut for Another Day

Chennai schools colleges to remain shut for another day 08 December 2023: The persistent heavy rainfall in the wake of Cyclone Michaung has left parts of Chennai waterlogged, leading Chennai schools colleges to remain shut for another day. Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing it as “major flood” conditions. In response to the crisis, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to arrive in Tamil Nadu on Thursday to assess the extent of the flooding and coordinate relief efforts. IMD Michaung Cyclone

Government’s Response

In an official statement, the Tamil Nadu government announced the extension of the closure, emphasizing that relief works are actively underway in rain-affected areas. Chief Minister Stalin personally assessed the impacted areas, overseeing the distribution of essential items, including food and milk, to residents affected by the relentless rainfall.

Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena provided insights into the restoration work, highlighting the deployment of 9,000 officials from other districts for relief efforts. Meena reported significant progress, assuring that by the following evening, 100% power supply would be restored. The government is addressing water stagnation at 343 locations, with a focus on clearing the remaining 39 bus routes still affected by the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.

You can read about Cyclone Michaung in our previous article: Cyclone Michaung: Impending Threat in the Bay of Bengal on December 4!

Transportation Challenges

The transportation sector is grappling with challenges as Southern Railways announced the cancellation of 15 trains due to intense rainfall and waterlogging in Chennai. However, there is a ray of hope as train services from Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore were restored from Thursday. The Southern Railway reassured the public that most mail/express services from Chennai Central would be fully functional in all directions from Friday.

Central Government’s Support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken proactive measures to support the affected regions. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been directed to release the central share of the second installment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), amounting to ₹450 crore for Tamil Nadu. Additionally, the Centre has approved the first urban flood mitigation project, allocating ₹561.29 crore for the ‘Integrated Urban Flood Management Activities for Chennai Basin Project’ under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). This includes a significant central assistance of ₹500 crore.

Conclusion

As Chennai grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, the decision to keep schools and colleges closed underscores the gravity of the situation. The government’s swift response, combined with central support and relief efforts, aims to alleviate the distress caused by the flooding. The road to recovery is underway, with a focus on restoring normalcy in transportation, clearing waterlogged areas, and ensuring the well-being of the affected residents. The extended closure serves as a necessary precaution, prioritizing safety and recovery in the face of this natural disaster.

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Cyclone Michaung: Schools Colleges to Remain shut for Another Day 08 December 2023!

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