India – Floods in Tamil Nadu Leave at Least 27 Dead

At least 27 people have been killed as a result of floods and severe weather in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu over the past week. Some reports claim the death toll is as high as 40.

A Tropical Depression that formed over the Bay of Bengal on 08 November 2015 reached the coast of Tamil Nadu early on 09 November as a deep depression, causing heavy rainfall and strong winds in many parts of the state.

In a statement made on 12 November, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa confirmed that 27 people had died in the floods in Cuddalore district. The Chief Minister also announced a contingency plan to help those affected, where the families of victims will receive some financial compensation.

Unofficial reports claim that a further 13 people have been killed in the severe weather in other parts of the state.

More Heavy Rain Forecast

India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) have forecast more severe weather with the arrival of a further tropical depression which is likely to affect southern parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu. Between 13 to 17 November, heavy to very heavy rain (up to 244 mm) has been forecast for parts of Rayalaseema, Kerala, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

Extremely heavy rainfall (over 244 mm) may be likely in isolated parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu between 16 and 17 November 2015, according to IMD forecasts.

Floods in Chennai

The heavy rain has already begun to fall in Chennai, causing flooding on the streets of the city. Rail and road traffic has been severely disrupted and some schools have closed. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

WMO report that 123 mm of rain was recorded at Madras / Minambakkam in 24 hours between 12 and 13 November 2015.