I am back, internet and power restored today!
Personally did not face any big issues, power was cut to prevent accidents, and streets were flooded, had a scare at one point. 2 houses on the lower side of my street got flooded, they were living on the first floor due to the rains water flooding (these houses usually have lots of water even during normal rains).
The real big scare occurred after the rains for us, when the sun was out shining. Streets/ground had dried out or was pretty much getting there, and then suddenly noticed the storm water drains in the garden started spewing out water, and the roads start to fill up again, even though there was full sunshine! Entire garden was submerged in a short while and the street water also started to enter via the gate, and then it starts to get cloudy and drizzling starts again!
We started to prepare for a water logged ground floor, shifting stuff up to the first floor. Night was full of tension...constantly checking on the water level, seemed stable, and later luckily it started to recede, and by the morning, even waters on the street started to recede.(Grandmom made a deal with god, so now have to go to local Amman temple and break 2 coconuts!
)
The rainfall seems to have proceeded in stages, the first part there was huge amount of rain (16-18), the areas that were affected most were the outer areas, and areas close to the catchment regions. It filled up many of the reservoirs, and they had to be opened, the second (29-1) made all these dams go critical and forced the authorities the open up the dams, out of which water came out gushing with full force, washing away/submerging encroachments that had grown over the years I heard that there was water flowing over Thiru vi ka bridge and over the saidapet bridge, and flooding the surrounding areas. This then caused stress on the already overworked drain system which then caused water to come through storm water drains into streets/peoples houses, even in areas usually considered higher ground.
As far as response from various authorities goes I think they did okay.Municipal corp people were always around checking drains etc. I had to call the fire dept and electricity dept due to some emergency in our neighbors place, at three in the morning, they responded quickly. so no problems there. Even now there is constant movement of army trucks and helicopters flying around from time to time. The self help groups with local people working to help each other and networking on social media was a huge plus (silly rumours on SM being a big minus!!!)
Also I also had a WOW moment, roads completely flooded, no power,patchy phones,internet, but milk still arrived!
Not just for me, many others too:
Also was happy to find out that all people I know have got through unharmed, although there was some serious destruction of property. City is slowly limping back to normal.
Also big thank you to all the people from various parts who have been sending help/essential items and other things
