Chennai Floods 2015

The 2015 Chennai floods resulted from heavy rainfall generated by the annual northeast monsoon in November–December 2015. They affected the Coromandel Coast region of the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and the union territory of Puducherry, with Tamil Nadu and the city of Chennai particularly hard-hit. More than 500 people were killed and over 1.8 million people were displaced. With estimates of damages and losses ranging from ₹50000 crore (US$7 billion) to ₹100000 crore (US$15 billion),the floods were the costliest to have occurred in 2015, and were among the costliest natural disasters of the year. The flooding has been attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and unannounced opening of Chembarambakkam reservoir, which is the water lifeline of Chennai. Irony is that Chennai suffers from water scarcity for most part of the year. Coovum, the major river of Chennai has breached its restricted boundaries and entered encroachments and slums built on its banks. Somewhere somebody is watching over us, observing our greed, desires, politics, carelessness towards nature and irresponsibleness. Only to correct us and guide us to prevent detours. Hope we learn from our mistakes and stop taking nature for granted!

The 2015 Chennai floods resulted from heavy rainfall generated by the annual northeast monsoon in November–December 2015. The flooding has been attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and unannounced opening of Chembarambakkam reservoir, which is the water lifeline of Chennai. Irony is that Chennai suffers from water scarcity for most part of the year.

Greed is one of the major underlying factors which has caused this disaster. Real estate market in Chennai has been growing with exaggerated land prices and buildings erected on several water bodies and low lying lands, without proper soil test and other clearances.

Coovum, the major river of Chennai has breached its restricted boundaries and entered encroachments and slums built on its banks. This is the aerial view of slum near Chennai Central.

The ruling party has faced lot of backlash from the people for its inaction and lack of stewardship. This shows the picture of Chief Minister on one of the doors at flood affected slums in Chennai.

Human beings are not the whole constitutents of a city and flora fauna has also faced lot of distasteful sufferings.

Chennai Corporation trying to rebuild damaged infrastructure in front of Chennai Central Railway Station.

If only Gods had mercy!

Coovum river entered the households of slum dwellers, wiping away their life savings; leaving behind untold scars!

He was asleep till 3 AM and by 3.45 AM, his house merged with the river floods. His need of the hour is to find a dry place to sit and rest till the political parties will come up with rescue materials and their media coverage. And he is from the ruling party!

Chennai city is notoriously known for its water scarcity for most part of the year.

I am unable to find my little sister. She was playing with her friends last night. Are you from ruling party TV or opposition party TV? Why are you photographing me? Will you send this photo to press and find back my sister?

Couldn’t recollect the instances in which Chennai people have stood with Tamil Nadu Fishermen issues. But, fishermen readily lent their hands to help out rescue operations. This image was made at LIC signal in Mount Road.

Several corporate companies also helped people to get out of their flooded areas. In the meantime, they also used this opportunity to market their brands. This is not a normal rescue boat. This is ‘NTL Taxi Rescue Boat’.

Finally a minister car shows up. Only to show his hands through the car glass windows. People chased his vehicle in vain.

Relief materials provided by NGOs met high demand and competition. Things that change your life upside down. Things that were once taken for granted.

This Audi is my father’s gift to me. But rain Gods don’t understand my family emotions. Do they?

People realize the true face of their rulers during such disasters. Her head is covered with a cloth having ruling party flag.

And then there were none. People fled the city in thousands. Since a week ago, the newly opened Chennai Metro was a source of entertainment for the people, similar to the theme park rides. Suddenly, with all the roads inundated heavily, Metro became the only source of transport to and from Bus Terminus. Metro found its first full capacity use for its facilities.

People helped each other during the first 3 days of floods while the Government went to a state of hibernation. Somewhere somebody is watching over us, observing our greed, desires, politics, carelessness towards nature and irresponsibleness. Only to correct us and guide us to prevent detours. Hope we learn from our mistakes and stop taking nature for granted!