04 December 2023 , 10:27
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A huge crocodile has been snapped prowling through residential streets in the wake of mass flooding in India.
Cyclone Michaung has caused heavy rains to wreak havoc in the Bay of Bengal in the east of the country, including in the capital Chennai. The roads are currently knee-deep water and the airport has been forced to close. In one area, a huge crocodile was seen prowling and crossing the road. A commuter was horrified to see the beast while battling the weather to get to work. Supriya Sahu said that the crocodile came out of a water body after it began to overflow after heavy rain.
Supriya Sahu, the Chief Secretary to Tamil Nadu Government wrote on the social media platform X: "Many are tweeting about this [crocodile]. They are shy elusive animals and avoid human contact. This one has come out as the water has overflown due to massive rains under the impact of Cyclone Michuang please do not go close to water bodies. There is no possibility of harm to humans if these animals are left alone and unprovoked. No need to panic. Wildlife division has been alerted and they are on the job to avoid any untoward incident."
The India Meteorological Department said the storm would intensify as it moved north, before reaching land near Bapatla in the state of Andhra Pradesh tomorrow. The Tamil Nadu government also declared a public holiday in four districts where intense rainfall is expected. The order said: "All government offices including the offices of public undertakings/corporation boards, banks of financial institutions, etc, in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts will be closed on Monday." The government has directed private companies to provide their employees with a work-from-home option and only ask essential workers to come to the office. The Greater Chennai Corporation has requested people to stay indoors amid the extreme rainfall alert, with 340 mm of rain until early morning on Monday.
Commuters wade across a flooded street after heavy rains in Chennai on December 1 (AFP via Getty Images)As many as 32 flights scheduled to land in Chennai have been diverted to Bengaluru and flights to Vijayawada, Rajahmundry were cancelled. Several metro stations in Chennai are also waterlogged. The government has commandeered 400 private marriage halls to provide shelter for those affected by the weather conditions. Emergency food supplies are being prepared, with provisions for 10,000 people currently ready in the Avadi area alone and an additional 25,000 meals to be made available shortly in Chennai city.
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