Heavy rains predicted ! ~ Chennai residents' panic reaction

A rainy Chennai !!  this morning Chennaites wokes up with slight to heavy drizzle and lot of fear in their minds. Yesterday night it rained heavily and   Thunderstorms swept across different regions of Tamil Nadu, including the capital city, Chennai.

 

Before you read further, are you a resident of Chennai, and did you buy many things yesterday !?! 

Amid heavy rainfall and the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) warning for heavy to very heavy showers, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has announced a holiday for schools and colleges in four districts on Tuesday, October 15. The state government has also issued a work-from-home advisory for these areas from October 15 to 18.

 

There is Low Pressure Area over southeast Bay of Bengal; the IMD report reads – the  low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal persisted over the same region at 2330 hours IST of yesterday, the 14thOctober 2024. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and become a well marked low pressure area over central parts of south Bay of Bengal by morning of today, the 15th October. Thereafter, it is likely to intensify into a depression and continue to move west-northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during subsequent 2 days. 

More than the weather warning,  weather blogger reports and social media reports created panic among the residents of Chennai with apprehensions of  very heavy rains, measuring up to 40 centimeters, lashing the State  - and this triggered panic buying of essential articles besides people taking other precautions ! 

Most of the city witnessed unusual rush at grocery shops to buy provisions, milk, veggies and snacks and people were buying as if roads would remain closed and they would be cut off for a week or so.  There are reports of residents of the Velachery   parking their cars on the flyovers in the locality and nearby for safety.  

 

Breads, bun, biscuits, milk, fruits, vegetables became premium and  skyrocketed with many groceries turning empty by late evening in many localities.

 

Well, when it rains heavily – birds cannot come out and they would not get their food too !  - the need for buying and hoarding so much of eatables shows the desperate mindset of people !! – that eventually leaves those staying alone and dependent purely on outside food with difficulty and after a couple of days, lot of food waste may get thrown in garbage.

 

Anyway, as there red/yellow/orange alerts – it is better to stay at home and venture outside only when necessary.

 
With regards – S Sampathkumar’
15.10.2024 – 9 am.