10 Weather extremities the Indian armed forces face for you

The Indian Armed Forces are the prime guardians of our national integrity and sovereignty. The Armed Forces, consisting of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard, are widely respected for their bravery, discipline, and unconditional patriotic values. From controlling the world’s highest battlefield in Siachen, to executing the world’s biggest helicopter rescue mission in the form of Operation Rahat, the Indian Armed Forces have fought adversities and locked horns with intruding enemy forces to ensure a safe and secure India for all of us. But did you know about the inclement weather conditions which the Armed Forces face for you? The biggest voluntary army in the world guards the entire length and breadth of the country including places which face extreme weather conditions. We bring you ten weather extremities which the Armed Forces brave in order to protect and serve! 

Siachen Glacier



The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range at a height of 5,753 meters i.e. a stupendous 18, 875 feet above sea level. The average winter snowfall in the region exceeds 1000 cm and temperatures can dip to as low as -50°C. Soldiers even die from harsh weather conditions in the region. Prior to their deployment in the Siachen region, soliders have to undergo a training camp which helps them acclimatize to the conditions in the region. Despite extreme weather conditions, the Indian Army guards and controls the region in order to score a strategic advantage over its enemies. 

Dras



Dras is a small town with a population 1,021 and is situated in the Kargil District of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Gateway to Ladakh observes a sub-arctic climate and is known as the second coldest inhabited place in the world. The temperatures in the region remain in single digits throughout the year, barring a couple of months. The Indian Armed Forces have maintained a growing presence in the region, especially after Pakistan’s failed Kargil incursion in 1999.
  
Indo-Pak Border, Rajasthan



The Indian Armed Forces guard the Indo-Pakistani border in Rajasthan amidst extremely hot weather conditions. Temperature shoot up to 50°C in some regions while dust storms, sand storms, and the blistering heat combine to make the desert region an unfit place for habitation altogether. The Armed Forces patrol these long borders even with such inclement weather beating down on them. 

    
Indo-Chinese Border, Arunachal Pradesh



India shares a big chunk of its national border with China in Arunachal Pradesh. The Sino-Indian border dispute in this region requires that the Armed Forces maintain a significant presence here. However, most parts of Arunachal Pradesh are sparsely populated and lack proper connectivity. The varying weather conditions and overall geography of the region makes it a hard nut to crack. The Indian Armed Forces continue to maintain Mountain Regiments in the region with the Indian Air Force also playing a crucial role in the region. Heavy rainfall is also a troublemaker but the Armed Forces have overcome all the hindrances. 

Indo-Chinese Border, Sikkim


Sikkim faces inclement weather conditions with heavy rain, snow, and cold persisting throughout the year. The Armed Forces patrol strategically important areas like the Nathu La Pass with pockets of the region witnessing rapid transitions in a single day. The foot soldiers have to be prepared for everything from bright sunshine in the morning to rain or snow showers in the evening. Indian Air Force plays an important role in transporting arms, ammunitions, and other essential resources in the region. 

Jammu & Kashmir



Jammu and Kashmir experiences varying climatic conditions with monsoon and winter making life difficult for the Armed Forces. Moreover, the growing problem of insurgency and terrorism keeps the armed personnel on their toes. In 2014, heavy monsoon rain and flash floods disrupted life in J&K killing nearly 400 people and rendering thousands homeless. The Armed Forces were quick to react and helped rescue more than 200,000 people. The three main divisions of the Armed Forces contributed with some 30,000 troops, 84 fixed-wing transport aircrafts and helicopters, 15 engineer task forces, and naval commandos and rescue specialists.
 

Uttarakhand



Like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand too experiences sub-zero temperatures in winters and widespread during the monsoon season. The Indo-Chinese border in Uttarakhand has remained a hot topic in terms of violations and intrusions by the Chinese forces. The Indian Armed Forces maintain a close watch in the region despite inclement weather conditions. Moreover, during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, the Indian Armed Forces along with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Disaster Response Force, and the Border Security Force, airlifted and rescued a total of 18, 424 people and dropped at least 3,36,930 kg of relief material and equipment. Despite dense fog and incessant rainfall, Armed Forces aircrafts maneuvered the dangerous terrains of Uttarakhand searching for survivors as foot soldiers too continued with rescue operations.
 

Indian Coastline



The Indian Navy guards the 7,500 km long Indian coastline throughout the year. After the 26/11 attack, the role of the Indian Navy in protecting Indian seas has increased manifold. Braving recurring storms and monsoon systems, the Indian Navy defends India’s large coastline without fail. Sailing in the waters is generally tough and monsoon systems continue to trouble the naval forces in the pre as well as post monsoon period.
 

Indian Air Space



The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of our defense forces. It secures the Indian air space and provides aerial support during war time. The Indian Air Force maintains its presence in all parts of the country. From the icy cold weather conditions in the hills to the blistering heat of the plains, the IAF operates throughout the length and breadth of the country. The IAF is also responsible for supply, logistics, and maintenance of army base camps. The IAF has played a major role in executing several rescue operations over the years. From floods to tsunamis, earthquakes to storms, the Indian Air Force has overcome weather and other challenges to protect and serve.
 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands



Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. The Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force provide a 360 degree cover to these islands keeping a watch on international trade routes which pass these islands. The region witnesses inclement weather conditions with lengthy rainy periods which require that the IAF and the Indian Navy patrol the waters for monitoring purpose. Moreover, open waters make the region even more vulnerable with the growing presence of Chinese naval forces in the South China Sea.

The Indian Armed Forces overhaul not just enemies, but weather extremities as well. They fight two battles, one against the enemies of the state, and one which is fought against adverse weather conditions. As a true nationalist, one must respect the Armed Forces as much as they respect their country. Jai Jawaan!

Nights will remain cool for next three days: Weathermen

Nights are set to remain cool for at least another three days, said weathermen.The minimum temperature, recorded just before sunrise, nearly touched the 20 degrees Celsius mark over the last two days. The temperature fell to 20.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. 

Weathermen attribute the cool temperature at nights to radiation cooling which occurs because of zero clouding in the day.

"Sun's radiations that reach the earth's surface are trapped by clouds. Since there is little or no clouding during the day, radiation escapes into the atmosphere, paving the way for colder nights," said Regional Meteorological Centre former deputy director general Y E A Raj.

The minimum temperature fell to about 15 degrees Celsius in parts of northern Tamil Nadu like Tirupathur and Tiruttani on Tuesday.Nungambakkam recorded 20.6 degrees on Tuesday and 20.5 degrees Celsius on Monday.

Raj said, "As Chennai lies near the coast, there is moisture from the sea which helps trap some of the radiation. If you move away even 15-20km from the coast and towards the interior districts, the minimum temperature begins to fall lower." At the Meenambakkam centre, which lies away from the coast in the southern suburb of the city , the minimum temperature recorded was 18.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday .

Raj said that the drop in temperature was not unusual during the months of January and February . 

The drop in temperature will continue until the city gets more moisture or if there is a change in wind pattern, he said.

The maximum temperature in the city has gone up as far as 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature has fallen to nearly 20 degrees Celsius over the last week, officials said.

Forecast : Cyclonic Storm Vardah intensifies, heavy rain in Chennai - Live Updates

Cyclone Vardah is currently headed towards Chennai and the weather department has issued warning for a very heavy rainfall alert in three districts, Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur for the next two days. 

The rains are expected to begin later in the evening today at a moderate pace, and slowly intensify as the night progresses. On Monday, heavy to very heavy rains will be occurring in the three northern districts. The quantum of rain may even exceed 20 cm in one or two places. 

Predicted revised path of cyclone Vardah | Source : IMD

Categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm, Vardah which means Rose in Arabic /Urdu was earlier expected to make a landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam. But, Meteorological department officials now say the Cyclone currently at about 440 kms east of Chennai is hurtling towards the capital city, where it is expected to make a landfall by Monday afternoon. 

Balachandran, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre , said there will be strong winds from Sunday evening, and will peak at 80-90 Kmph when the Cyclone crosses the coast tomorrow. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into sea off South Andhra and North Tamilnadu coast. Vardah is expected to gradually weaken after it makes the landfall. 

Earlier the expected path of cyclone was such that it was to make a landfall over Andhra Pradesh, and similarly the Andhra government was alert to combat the situation. With such quick and swift move of the weather system, it is now up to the government of Tamil Nadu and civic authorities of Chennai to prepare quickly as the cyclone to make landfall by tomorrow afternoon. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had conducted a teleconference with officials of different departments this morning and advised them to take all necessary measures. "I have cancelled my trip to the Gulf. I will constantly monitor the situation," he told the officials.

Live Updates:

https://www.windytv.com/?16.362,79.563,6

Here are the helpline numbers released by the Chennai Corporation:

CONTROL ROOM NUMBERS: 044-25619206, 25619511, 25384965, 25383694, 25367823, 25387570,

Heavy rains predicted in coastal TN as Chennai limps back to normal

An aerial view shows a flooded residential colony in Chennai. (REUTERS)

Chennai woke up to a bright and sunny morning on Monday though the met department has predicted heavy rains across coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Cuddalore, however, continues to be badly affected, with rescue teams being rushed there fearing further damage.

Meanwhile in Chennai, fears remain over what a fresh bout of rains could mean for the ongoing relief operations, as the city continued to limp back to normalcy.

Status of international flights, scheduled to begin operations on Monday, remained unclear following the weather forecast though domestic flights took off from the city’s airport on Sunday.

As inundated waters receded in different parts of Chennai, it gave way to a flood of complaints over the tardy relief measures by the government. Over 60% of the city’s residents have been affected, both those in hutments and in swanky multi-story residences facing shortage of food, and requiring basic amenities.

For most of these people, the rains have washed out their valuables including vehicles and gadgets.

Flood affected people stand in a long queue to get relief materials at Kotturpuram, one of the worst flood-hit localities in Chennai on Sunday. (PTI)

As many as 14,32,924 people have been rescued and housed in relief camps in Chennai and neighbouring districts of Cuddalore, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, the government said in a statement.

Rough estimates of cumulative losses seem likely to cross Rs 1 lakh crore.

The Chennai central station and Egmore station, the two railway stations in the city, have become operational again after a week. Long distance trains also resumed, albeit with delayed schedules.

Passengers wait in a queue to board a train at the Egmore Railway Station in Chennai after Southern Railway decided to resume operations on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

As part of the overall efforts to improve supplies of essential commodities, 11 state-run mobile fresh farm outlets began sale of vegetables.

The Chennai Corporation said 24,500 sanitation personnel, including 2,000 personnel from other districts were on the field to clear garbage and tidy up the city.

However, with medical camps and relief centres operating at full capacity, the prediction of heavy rainfall would mean further strain to an already strained system.

Opposition DMK, meanwhile, stepped up its attack on the government with its leader MK Stalin, who visited flood-affected areas, criticizing the AIADMK-run government for not talking to people and listening to their troubles.

Rain in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to increase from Wednesday

Chennai has been experiencing relatively better weather conditions for the last few days. But, the relief seems short-lived. Intensity of rainfall will increase in Chennai from Wednesday. As of now, we can expect few occasional spells of light rainfall.

The trough across South Tamil Nadu will continue to bring some rainfall over the southern parts of the state. Light rainfall likely in Kerala as well. North Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will remain mainly dry. No significant weather system can be seen over the area. The low pressure area over the Comorin region has moved further in the south-west direction.

Dry weather is the forecast for Central India. This could be attributed to the ridge running across the anti-cyclone over Central India.

The Western Disturbance lying over Afghanistan adjoining areas would start affecting weather in North India from December 9. A shroud of moderate to dense fog will be observed in Northwest India. Morning temperatures will remain higher than normal levels during next 24 hours. Marginal drop is likely after the passage of the Western Disturbance.

A trough of low can be seen over the Northeastern States up to south Bay of Bengal.

Chennai struggling to return to normalcy after raging floods

Chennai floods: People rescue from their waterlogged houses during heavy rains in the city. (Source: PTI)

With receding waters, Chennai city and suburbs on Saturday battled hard to pick up pieces of life but occasional heavy rains threatened to revive the ghost of flooding as lakhs of people in the worst-hit areas faced acute short supply of essentials including water, power, milk and food items.

Intermittent rains, occasionally heavy, in the city in areas like Kodambakkam, T. Nagar, Adyar and Kotturpuram and suburban Tambaram today threatened to revive the ghost of flooding again but the weatherman has forecast only light rains for Chennai in the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rains have been forecast for south coastal and interior districts and Puducherry.

Arterial Mount Road and several other important roads were opened for traffic on Friday after three days of disruption bringing a slight sense of normalcy as water levels in Adyar and Cooum rivers and other channels came down following reduced discharge of water from Chembarambakkam, Puzhal and Poondi, and Red Hills rivers dotting the city’s outskirts.

Chennai's story needs to be heard

No one imagined that this could happen to Chennai. We were just a happy little town content with our Kollywood and Coffee, but humanity has won over once again, says Pavithra Selvam.

The rains have finally stopped. Relief work is ongoing and Chennai is collectively pooling in its resources to keep its head above the water. Today Chennai-ites are wading through sewage water and broken roads to reach out to strangers in the hope that someone else would do the same to their loved ones. In a matter of few weeks we've literally seen our city crumble and drown in front of our eyes. Tamil Sangam literature is rife with references of floods washing away the mythical lands of 'Kumari Kaandam' -- it somehow feels like history is repeating itself. 

I write this not as a victim, but as a witness to a catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude. I write this to tell our story. I write this so that our voices can be heard. I write this from a position of privilege that I feel guilty for possessing -- but I write anyway because I can and I must. We need all the help that we can get and to get that we need our story to be heard. 

I live near the Mylapore Kapaleeshwarar temple, the oldest part of Chennai. It is among the very few areas in Chennai to not have water-logging. I have electricity, internet and patchy phone connectivity. My dad hasn't come home from office in two days. My husband, his parents and his mentally ill grandmother have been stranded in their second floor flat for the last four days. They have neither electricity nor telephone connectivity. They are strictly rationing their food supplies to last at least a few more days.

They are not alone. They are trapped with along with hundreds of other people inside their buildings and streets. 

Both my husband's family and my father aren't seeking to be rescued. The water levels are four feet deep. Ground and first floor residents have moved to their neighbours' homes in the second floor. They share their food and space and offer support to each other. They don't seek to be rescued because the situation isn't as bad as it is in other places. This is the story of millions of others who are stranded but aren't seeking to be rescued. 

The rescue operations that you hear of in the news are only emergencies. These rescue squads rescue people from places where water is neck-deep and belongings and homes have already been fully submerged. Rescuing people like my dad or husband would be a drain on Chennai's resources right now. They are safe in their second floor spaces. 

On Tuesday night, civilian rescuers started independent rescue operations by crowd-sourcing catamarans, life rafts, motorboats and SUVs. We knew people would die if we waited for the government or army to respond -- even if they really wanted to respond, there was not much they could actually do -- the city was very quickly sinking. Chennai had to take things into its own hands. The hashtags #chennairainshelp backed by Twitter India's support started to trend. Since most people didn't have electricity or internet, it was all word-of-mouth -- there was no time to verify information.

Actor Siddharth and RJ Balaji went out on the streets with a group of volunteers rescuing people as they heard about it. Rescue operations continued all night. People started opening up their homes and offering shelter. Random strangers on Twitter recharged mobile phones of strangers just by hearsay. A crowdsourced resource sheet was born -- www.chennairains.org. It is still being updated by volunteers who've hardly slept in 48 hours. Digital volunteers who had electricity and internet tweeted and posted information for people who were on their way home or stranded. Yesterday Sam Paul, Chennai's Toni & Guy guy, and Shihan Hussain, Chennai's favourite karate master, along with hundreds of other volunteers were out on the submerged streets until late in the night conducting search-and-rescue missions, putting their own lives at risk.

Many people were rescued, but so many more weren't.

Was Tamil Nadu ready for this? Absolutely not.

Did help arrive quick enough? No it didn't.

While the politics of this incident is an important issue that needs addressing, this is the wrong time to do it. The lack of coverage and appalling apathy from the so-called national news channels is disgraceful. Yesterday Rajdeep Sardesai made a video (external link) about the lack of coverage of the Chennai floods by the national news channels. ‘It takes a 180 people dead in Tamil Nadu for us to wake up,’ he said. I made a casual post on Facebook expressing my displeasure at an NDTV headline that alluded to the Chennai floods as a man-made disaster.The post (external link) went viral and received almost 500 likes and 225 shares in a matter of hours. Chennaiites and south-Indians in general are angry with the poor quality of coverage attributed to our region, especially during a national disaster. 

There is a lot of talk about poor town planning, marshland encroachment and land reclamation. Let's not make this politics -- this is not the time to play this game. We need solutions right now and quick. We have a situation of dire crises unfolding in Chennai. We have hundreds of thousands of climate refugees taking shelter in schools, malls, theatres, marriage halls and religious establishments. There are tens of thousands more who need to be rescued. These people need food, clothes, sanitation facilities and medicines. There is flooding all over the city -- the water isn't just rain water, it is rain water mixed with sewage. We are at the brink of a disease breakout. 

No one imagined that this could happen to Chennai. We were just a happy little town content with our Kollywood and Coffee.

But humanity has won over once again. Caste, creed, religion and social background have become immaterial. Who said we are an intolerant society? Look at Chennai, the collective good is the only thing that matters here on our streets.

Aid is pouring in from our neighbouring states. Strangers from Bangalore are making dangerous road trips with much needed supplies to be on the ground. This is who we are -- we stand united in all our diversity -- we are Indians. Our governments may fail us but we lift each other up and help each other as our brethren. Yes, we are a disaster zone. But we are going to get back on our feet and wade through the deluge. 

Chennai will emerge stronger and wiser, no doubt. But the more important thing for the people reading this is to take charge and tell your governments to clean up their game -- because it could be your city next.

Image: People wait for relief material and food packets at the roof of a building in flood-hit Chennai on Thursday. Photograph: PTI Photo.

Pavithra Selvam is a communications specialist born and raised in Chennai. Though she often lives in foreign lands, Chennai is her true love.

Latest updates: MTC rides free till Dec. 8; 600 airlifted from Arakkonam

Fire Service personnel rescue a family at a flood-hit area in Vyasarpadi, Chennai, on Friday. Photo: V. Ganesan

Life for people in Chennai continues to be difficult though rains have stopped in the city. Many areas in Chennai still remain under water and supply of essentials is difficult, say residents.

“Waterlogging continues to be there. The only mercy was that there were no rains,” said Viswanath, a resident.

The water flow in the Adyar river has come down and the amount of surplus water was released into the river from the Chembarambakkam lake.

The Southern Railways have announced special trains to Tirunelveli, Rameswaram and Howrah from Chennai Beach station. The power supply was restored in the areas where water has receded, but it was still cut in many other places.

Mobile phone services, which had taken a severe beating following the heavy downpour on Tuesday, were partially restored even as other services such as ATMs continued to remain shut.

Latest Updates:

SCR running special trains

The South Central Railway (SCR) is running special trains from Hyderabad and Kakinada Port to Chennai for the benefit of passengers stranded in the rain-ravaged Tamil Nadu capital.

Train No 07644 left Kakinada Port at 9 p.m. on Friday and will arrive in Chennai Beach at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday.

Another train (No. 02760) departed from Hyderabad at 9 p.m. on Friday and will arrive at Chennai Beach at 12.15 p.m. on Saturday, a SCR release said.

Meanwhile, the SCR on Friday cancelled half a dozen trains (Up and Down directions) due to submergence of Railway bridges on the Chennai-Gudur section.

These trains are: Tirupati-Chennai Central Saptagiri Express, Tirupati-Chennai Central Express and Vijayawada-Chennai Central Janshatabdi Express (all three in both directions), the release said.

Private carriers join rescue effort

Private airlines have joined the rescue operations in rain-battered Chennai, with some of the carriers flying out hundreds of people from the Arakkonam Naval Base to Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

“Some of the private airlines have started running a few relief flights from here to Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore. One such flight flew about 130 rescued civilians to Delhi this afternoon,” a defence official said in Arakkonam.

“While two flights flew in the morning to Hyderabad and Bangalore routes, one came in the afternoon and another at night,” he added.

The Delhi-bound IndiGo flight (No 8002) landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at its domestic terminal early Friday night.

Arakkonam Naval Base or INS Rajali is about 70 km west of Chennai, and is currently being used as a makeshift airport due to closure of the Chennai Airport. — PTI

600 airlifted from Arakkonam

Over 600 people including more than 130 university students and an old French couple were taken to safety from Arakonam Naval Base, about 70 km from Chennai, by a coordinated team of defence and NDRF personnel.

Clear weather provided opportunity to the Air Force team to carry our ample number of sorties for relief and rescue operations.

The rescued included both stranded civilians and defence personnel many of whom themselves were unable to move around in the wake of the torrential rains that has pounded the city lately.

“Around 150 people, 130 among them being civilians and rest from the defence forces were rescued and sent in a private airliner which operated two rescue flights from our base. While the first took off in the afternoon for Delhi, the other one carrying 180 people left at night.- PTI

MTC rides free

Considering the number of displaced people in Chennai, the government has announced that passengers can travel in the Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses free of cost for four days beginning Saturday (December 5, 2015).

Chennai airport to start partial operations from tomorrow, says AAI

Fresh rains pose threat to rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Chennai while the Met Department has warned that the state will witness less rain for next 2-3 days.

The rain respite was momentary in flood-hit Chennai. After a lull of 12 hours, Chennai has been hit by rains again.Fresh spell of rain has disrupted normal life in Puducherry and Kanchipuram.

Withdrawing its earlier statement, the Met Department on Friday said the flood-hit state will witness less rain for next 2-3 days.

Meanwhile, 5,000 cusecs of water has been released from Chembarambakkam Lake.

At least 18 people died in one of the hospitals in the flood-hit Chennai on Friday, reports said. MIOT Hospital in the city was treating some 575 patients. After the tragic incident, 57 patients have been shifted to different hospitals. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said the reason behind death is not known yet and an investigation has been ordered into the incident.

Though water level is slowly receding in many parts of Chennai and there is no rainfall in the city and adjoining areas since morning, the flood situation continues to remain grim in the city and several parts of Tamil Nadu. The city still remains virtually cut off from the rest of the country with air, rail and road transport services.

Army chief General Dalbir Singh has reached Chennai to personally oversee relief and rescue operations. 

According to reports, Chennai faces acute shortage of necessary items while the price of food grains sky rocket due to shortage. Residents have complained about lack of medicines, milk, potable water and vegetables.

1. To clear the stranded aircraft at Chennai Airport, Airports Authority of India is going to start limited exercise from Chennai Airport during the day.
2. Limited flights resume from naval air base in Chennai. Indian Railways to run special trains to evacuate people stranded in Chennai
3. Weather department says no rainfall in Chennai for next 2-3 days
4. After a 12-hour lull, rains hit Chennai again.
5. 18 patients died in a private hospital due to flooding of generator room and resultant snap of oxygen supply in Chennai. Yesterday the toll was at 269.
6. Indian naval ship INS Airavat reaches Chennai with relief materials
7. Some 1.64 lakh people have been housed in 460 camps in Chennai, Cuddalore, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts while thousands have also been shifted to others' houses after water entered theirs
8. 40 army teams, 6 navy teams with 12 boats and several relief teams have been deployed in Chennai to intensify rescue and relief operations
9. The government has deployed 1200 NDRF personnel, 100 boats and 200 divers to rescue stranded people in flood-hit areas
10. NDRF DG O P Singh said 5 teams from Patna and Guwahati will soon leave for Chennai while 5 teams from Punjab have already reached Chennai. Another 5 teams from Pune are all set to leave for Chennai
11. Low pressure moving towards Tamil Nadu: Met Department
12. Air India to operate more flights today, private airlines to follow suit
13. Floods in Chennai are an impact of climate change: Centre for Science and Environment
14. Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore to send around 50000 food packets for Chennai floods victims.
15. Floods: A Human error

    A green body on Friday said that the floods in Chennai are an impact of climate change and the "unprecedented deluge" that the city has witnessed is a reminder of increasing frequency of such freak weather events across the Indian subcontinent. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said that Chennai could have fared better if it had protected and preserved its natural water bodies and drainage channels.

    Chennai floods: Operation Madad picks up momentum

    "We have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that our urban sprawls such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Srinagar and others have not paid adequate attention to the natural water bodies that exist in them," said?CSE director general Sunita Narain.

    US offers assistance for Chennai flood victims

    The US has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the people affected by the worst floods in Chennai and has offered assistance to address the humanitarian challenge "especially in the case of strong partners like India".
16. "The US stands ready to assist the people of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, as well as the Government of India as they face the worst flooding in decades," State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Thursday. 
    Train/ Air update
    Due to heavy rains and water over flowing above danger level at Railway Bridges in Chennai - Gudur Section the following trains are cancelled/diverted as detailed below:-
    I) Trains Cancelled:
    1. Train No. 12688 Dehradun-Chennai Central Express scheduled to depart Dehradun on 04.12.2015 is cancelled.
    2. Train No. 22801 Vishakapatnam- Chennai Central scheduled to depart Visakhapatnam on 04.12.2015 is cancelled.
    3. Train No. 13351 Dhanbad-Allepy Express scheduled to depart Dhanbad on 04.12.2015 and 05.12.2015 is cancelled.
    4. Train No. 22644 Patna-Ernakukam Express scheduled to depart Patna on 03.12.2015 and 04.12.2015 is cancelled.
    5. Train No. 12508 Guwahati-Trivendrum Express scheduled to depart Guwahati on 04.12.2015 is cancelled.
    6. Train No. 15906 Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Express scheduled to depart Dibrugarh on 04.12.2015 and 05.12.2015 is cancelled.
    II) Trains Diverted:
    1. Train No.12516 Guwahati-Trivendrum Express which left Guwahati on 02.12.15 which is now diverted to run via., Renigunta, Melpakam, Katpadi.
    2. Train No. 12552 Kamahkya (Guwahati) - Yesvantapur Express which left Kamakhya on 02.12.2015 is now diverted to run via., Renigunta, Melpakam, Katpadi.
    3. Train No. 12296 Patna-Banglore Express which left Patna on 02.12.2015 is now diverted to run via., Renigunta, Melpakam, Katpadi.
    4. Train No. 12652 H.Nizamuddin-Madurai Express which left H.Nizamuddin on 03.12.2015 is now diverted to run via., Renigunta, Melpakam, Katpadi.
    5. Train No. 12511 Gorakhpur-Trivendrum Express which left Gorakhpur on 03.12.2015 is now diverted to run via., Renigunta, Melpakam, Katpadi.
    Train services from Chennai Beach station to Arakkonam will be at intervals of 45 minutes. The state government is making arrangements to move people from the station to  Rajali Naval Base
17. The arrival/ departure  timings of seven flights as approved by Navy for 4th and 5th December, 2015 to operate  to/from Arakkonam are as follows. However, Air India is expected to operate more flights on Friday. Private airlines will also to resume services :
    1. Truejet (Hyderabad- Arakkonam-Hyderabad) 0830/0855 (only on 04 Dec),
    2. Spicejet (Cochin-Arakkonam-Bangalore) 0945/1115
    3. Spicejet  (Cochin-Arakkonam-Bangalore) 1500/1630,
    4. Indigo (Hyderabad-Arakkonam-Bangalore) 1130/1300
    5. Indigo (Bangalore-Arakkonam-Delhi) 1645/1815,
    6. Air India (Hyderabad- Arakkonam-Hyderabad) 1315/1445
    7. Air India (Hyderabad-Arakkonam-Bangalore) 1830/1945.

Weather Forecast for December 1: Heavy rain in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh once again

Another spell of heavy rain seems to be approaching Chennai, coastal parts of Tamil Nadu and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Pondicherry, Nellore, Ongole and adjoining areas could receive heavy showers. Cities like Karaikal and Pamban will receive good rainfall.

All thanks to the cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal off Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. There is a trough extending northwards, along the East Coast.

There is another cyclonic circulation closely following, which is likely to merge with this one. Accordingly, a low pressure area could develop over the region after 24 to 48 hours. In fact, Northeast Monsoon will bring some rainfall in most parts of Peninsular India during next few days.

In Central India, we can see a cyclonic circulation lying over Madhya Pradesh. This system will bring the first spell of winter rainfall over Madhya Pradesh. It will gradually move eastwards, affecting Chhattisgarh and eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh.

North India is once again experiencing drier weather conditions with northwesterly winds blowing over the region. Moist winds had reduced visibility conditions during the last few days. We can now see clear skies over Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR. Maximum temperatures will rise marginally, while the minimums will come down to normal levels.