Millions brace for flood in southeast India due to heavy rains

Millions are bracing for possible flood in southeast and eastern India, as heavy rains poured several Indian states on Wednesday, officials said.

The depression bypassed the southeast Indian city Chennai and moved toward Bangladesh on Wednesday, triggering heavy rains in parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal states, said the officials.

A cyclone warning was issued for northern areas of Tamil Nadu and southern parts of neighboring Andhra Pradesh earlier in the day.

Disaster response teams dispatched 24 boats to Chennai in case of flood, while motor pumps were deployed in flood-prone areas of the state and medical teams were formed to assist affected residents.

The weather office said strong wind speed reaching 55-65 km per hour will come in north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry union territory in the coming hours. Sea condition will be rough to very rough and fishermen have been advised not to venture out to sea during the next two days.

The Tamil Nadu had suffered some casualties and heavy damages worth billions of U.S. dollars in flooding last November. Endit