Madurai experienced significant waterlogging on Friday after a sudden downpour of 10 cm, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The most intense rainfall occurred between 3 pm and 3:15 pm, during which 4.5 cm fell, leading to severe flooding in several low-lying areas of the city.
The affected neighborhoods include Athikulam, BB Kulam, Mullai Nagar, Kadachanenthal, LBT Nagar, Tamukkam, Thallakulam, Azhagar Koil Salai, Goripalayam, Simmakkal, Nelpettai, Keelavasal, and Yanaikkal Bridge. Many residents reported knee-deep water entering their homes, causing considerable disruption and hardship.
In response to the crisis, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that the state government is closely monitoring the rescue and relief efforts. He has assigned two ministers to oversee the operations in the most affected areas and instructed the district collector to take immediate action.
Stalin noted in a post on X that teams of engineers and workers, along with giant electric motors, have been mobilized from nearby municipalities to assist in draining the water from residential zones. To ensure the safety of residents, medical camps have been set up in 20 locations, accommodating those displaced by the flooding.
Concerns were also raised about the traditional waterbodies known as Kanmois potentially breaching due to the heavy rains. However, authorities have assured the public that all Kanmois are currently safe and are managing excess water flow into the Vaigai River. Madurai Corporation Commissioner C. Dinesh Kumar stated, “All the Kanmois are safe and are brimming with water which is flowing into the Vaigai river. Efforts are now on to bail out the water.”
Furthermore, the city has faced continuous rainfall over the past 25 days, accumulating 260 mm—60 mm above the average for this period—exacerbating the challenges faced by local authorities and residents alike. The government remains focused on restoring normalcy in Madurai and its surrounding areas as the situation develops.
Sources By Agencies
