Fresh spell of heavy rain approaching Tamilnadu!

Current situation of Chennai 

During the month of November, many areas of Tamil Nadu have received torrential rains. Record breaking rain has been witnessed in many parts of the state. For instance, the capital city, Chennai has broken a century old rainfall record for November.

However, in the last 48 hours, very little rain has occurred over Tamil Nadu, which is a huge relief from the deluge being witnessed by the state. This weather condition can be attributed to the dry north-easterly winds, which are cutting off the moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal. Also, easterly waves have been weak leading to a significant decrease in rainfall activity and cloud cover.

Almost dry weather conditions will continue for another 48 hours due to which flood waters will recede from various parts of the state. Also, rescue operations will undergo smoothly under dry weather conditions.

Fresh Spell of Rain Expected:

However, on the darker side, a fresh cyclonic circulation, which is over South Andaman Sea will induce a low-pressure area. This system will move in a west-north-west direction towards the Sri Lanka coast.

By 28th evening, heavy rain will commence over the southern parts of Tamil Nadu. The rainfall activity will gradually spread over other coastal areas including the state capital, Chennai and its adjoining areas. By November 29, heavy to very heavy rain is expected over most parts of Coastal Tamil Nadu. During this period, Interior Tamil Nadu will continue to receive light to moderate rainfall activity.

Thereafter, another cyclonic circulation is likely to emerge over the same area but it will move towards the Andhra Coast and give rain over Andhra Pradesh by December 2.

[thanks to skymet]

Flood Alert Issued in Tamilnadu's Cuddalore District!

Pennar River

The Cuddalore district administration in Tamil Nadu has issued a flood warning for those along the banks of River Pennar. With many reservoirs filling up after heavy rain due to the North East monsoon, 500 cusecs of water is being released from the Sathanur Dam.

"These waters and the rain we may receive could lead to floods. It is a caution for those on the banks not to be there because the currents could be dangerous," said Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Revenue Secretary who oversees relief and rescue operations.

"We are also widening the mouth of the river at the sea so that there would be a smooth flow without inundating the town," the senior official added.

Earlier this month, Cuddalore bore the brunt of a deep depression as it made its landfall in the district. At least 43 people died due to rain related incidents in the district.

[thanks to NDTV]

176 Dead in Tamilnadu, More Rain Expected!

Rain at TN

The number of deaths in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu has gone up to 176. It has been raining in the state for the last two weeks and more rain has been forecast in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Seven more deaths were reported from across the state since yesterday, while there was a let up in rainfall in most areas of the state since last evening, including Chennai.

Five people died yesterday while two deaths were reported from the state today.

The meteorological department said rain or thundershowers would occur at a few places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep in the next 24-48 hours.

For Chennai and its neighbourhood, skies would be cloudy and there may be rain or thundershowers in some areas, it said.

It has been raining in Tamil Nadu for two weeks now.

Papanasam in Tiruneveli district received heavy rainfall of 10 cm, while Rameswaram, Cheranmahadevi and Coonoor received least rainfall of one cm each, the Met office said.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa condoled the death of seven persons and announced a compensation of Rs.four lakh each to their next of kin from the disaster relief fund.

The chief minister had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 23, pegging the flood damage at Rs. 8,481 crore, and urged him to immediately release Rs.2,000 crore to sustain relief work.

[thanks to NDTV]

Indian PM Modi's Singapore visit: 7 things about the trip!

Mr.Modi in a Event at Singapore

SINGAPORE - India Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day visit to Singapore on Tuesday (Nov 24) evening.

From signing key agreements to having dinner at the popular Indian vegetarian restaurant Komala Vilas, here are seven things about his trip:

1. 50 YEARS OF TIES

The visit marks 50 years of formal ties between Singapore and India. India was the second nation to recognise Singapore after its independence in 1965.

A special gift of the front page of Tamil Murasu dated Aug 11, 1965, that carried the news of the recognition was presented to Mr Modi on Tuesday.

2. NO STRANGER TO SINGAPORE

When Mr Modi delivered the Singapore Lecture on Monday (Nov 23), he began by saying how Singapore and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew have inspired him.

Mr Modi made his first trip here in 2006 while he was the chief minister of Gujarat. Singapore leaders have also regularly visited him in Gujarat and taken part in the Vibrant Gujarat Summits organised by Mr Modi.

Mr Modi was also present at the State Funeral Service for the late Mr Lee in March, and he ordered flags in India to be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to Mr Lee.

3. SIMPLE FIRST DINNER AT KOMALA VILAS

Right after the lecture, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching hosted Mr Modi to a vegetarian meal at Komala Vilas.

They caused quite a stir at the restaurant, and a crowd of gawking onlookers gathered outside as word spread of Mr Modi's presence.

Here's what they ate: idli (a rice cake consisting of fermented black lentils), vadai (savoury fritters) and the restaurant's famous thosai (a crepe made from rice batter and lentils).

Their initial order was only for plain thosai, but Ms Ho later ordered onion and masala thosai, said Mr Rajakumar Gunasekaran, operations director of the restaurant.

Mr Modi was also hosted to lunch at the Istana on Tuesday.

4. STRATEGIC TIES

Highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Visit

Mr Modi and Mr Lee witnessed the signing of nine bilateral documents on Tuesday.

The highlight was the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, which elevates the ties between the two countries. It will broaden and deepen ties across various sectors including defence relations, economic and cultural cooperation, skills development and capacity building.

5. MEETING THE INDIAN DIASPORA

Mr Modi received a rousing welcome from about 18,000 people, mainly Indian expatriates here, at the Singapore Expo on Tuesday evening.

Singapore NRI Forum, which organised the event, said it was inundated with requests for seats.

Mr Modi also took a moment to take a photo with construction workers at the Indian National Army memorial at Esplanade Park, and posted the snap on Facebook.

Outside of  INA memorial marker

 

6. NO MODI ORCHID, FOR NOW

Mr Modi declined to have a Singapore orchid named after him on this trip "due to paucity of time", Indian officials said.

But he launched a commemorative Singapore-India stamp set comprising two stamps that depict the presidential residences of both countries.

7. REAL-TIME UPDATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Mr Modi is known for being technologically savvy, and being very active on social media. His packed itinerary in Singapore is constantly updated on his Twitter account, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

[thanks to ST]

Highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Visit