CHENNAI: After a month-long wait, the northeast monsoon finally brought its first spell of rain to the parched city on Thursday. The cyclonic storm Nada is weakening into a depression and is expected to make landfall near Karaikal around 6 am on Friday.
There was intermittent rain in the city through the day. There may not be much to rejoice as weathermen have forecast the showers to last only until Friday evening. The city, which has a 90% (62cm) shortage of rainfall this monsoon, recorded 3.5cm rain on Thursday.
Area cyclone warning centre director S Balachandran said, "The deep depression is likely to weaken and cross the north Tamil Nadu coast south of Cuddalore near Karaikal, resulting in moderate rainfall in coastal and interior districts." A few parts of the state may get heavy rain on Friday.
Revenue officials led by minister R B Udayakumar made elaborate arrangements at the state emergency operation centre, coordinating with each of district collectorates and government agencies."We are continuously monitoring the situation. Our aim is to see no loss of human life," the minister said.

Four teams of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have reached Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts to take up relief work.
Tangedco has deputed 2,000 workers with 3,000 electric posts and 100km of electric wires to Cuddalore as a precautionary measure.

Anticipating rainwater logging, the city corporation had ordered 26 electrical pillar boxes in the Adyar zone to be raised to avoid electrocution and power cuts. Rescue workers with food supply, medical aid and necessary gear are standing by in all the 15 zones of the city.
The civic body has identified 35 flood-prone areas, including Kargil Nagar (Tiruvottiyur zone), Burma Nagar (Manali), 67th corporation ward office (Thiru Vi Ka Nagar), Rail Nagar (Ambattur), Sidco Nagar (Anna Nagar), Jaffarkhanpet, River View Colony (Alandur), Chitra Nagar (Adyar), 43rd ward office (Perungudi) and (Sholinganallur). A bout 40 personnel be longing to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are positioned across the city. Residents can register rain-related complaints through the dedicated helpline: 044 25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694. WhatsApp complaints can be registered through the following mobile numbers: 9445477207, 9445477203, 9445477206, 9445477201, 9445477205 According to the city corporation, there was no water stagnation reported in the city on Thursday. The met office has warned fishermen not to venture out to sea on Friday.

SOURCE: The Times of India