Chennai to See Cloudy Sky With Light to Moderate Rains Till Dec 11; Check Forecast

Chennai: Chennai is still grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung which crossed the city on December 4. Schools and colleges in the city have remained closed since last Monday in wake of the heavy rainfall and subsequently the flooding it led to. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast partly cloudy skies with light/moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning in Chennai for the next three days.

"Sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy. Light/moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning is likely to occur," the IMD said in a forecast issued on Saturday.

Recent severe rainfall activity in Chennai has caused widespread destruction in the city and its neighbourhood. Nearly 20 people have lost their lives in rain-related accidents and several areas are still inundated. Relief work is underway across the state.

Tamil Nadu chief secretary Shiv Das Meena on Thursday said that 9,000 officials from other districts are deployed for the relief work. "Work on water stagnation at 343 places is underway. Food packets are being distributed in the flood-affected areas. Other district workers like medical staff, fire service staff, EN staff, etc., have been called to work in Chennai for restoration. A total of 9,000 officials from other districts are also deployed for the relief work in Chennai," Meena said.

The Tamil Nadu IAS Officers' Association has stepped forward to bolster relief efforts in Chennai after Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc across the state capital. The association demonstrated its commitment to supporting the state government in the ongoing relief operations by contributing a day's salary of its members to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund, an official release stated.

Meanwhile, two-wheeler manufacturer Suzuki Motorcycle has rolled out free service support to flood-affected customers in Chennai and neighbouring districts, the company said on Saturday. This is aimed at reducing the financial impact of vehicle repairs faced by affected residents.

The Indian subsidiary of Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation said it has activated dealer networks in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to assist customers with free comprehensive checkups. The company would also support customers with free replacement of engine oil, engine oil filter, air filter, fuel filter among others till December end.

"The cyclone Michaung has had a severe impact on the lives and belongings of people as the affected cities got flooded. We have announced a special service campaign under which we are offering a comprehensive check-up apart from substantial support on labour and spare parts depending upon the severity of the impact each vehicle has had to withstand," said company Managing Director Kenichi Umeda.

"We sincerely hope that this initiative would not only reduce the financial impact of vehicle repairs but also speed up the restoration of mobility for our customers at the earliest," he added.