Coverage of the Chennai floods 2015

Amaljith N.K

2nd MA Mass communication

Pondicherry University

• In November 2015, heavy rainfall due to the annual northeast monsoonseason caused widespread flooding across South India, notably in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and in the union territory of Puducherry.

• The city of Chennai, Cuddalore and its neighbouring districts were especially affected.

Background

• On 8 November 2015, during the annual cyclone season, a low pressure area consolidated into a depression and slowly intensified into a deep depression before crossing the coast of Tamil Nadu near Puducherry the following day.

• Due to land interaction and high vertical wind shear, the system weakened into a well-marked low pressure area over north Tamil Nadu on 10 November. The system brought heavy rainfall over the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu.

• Neyveli, a mining township southwest of Puducherry, recorded 139 mm (5.5 in) on 9 November and 483 mm (19.0 in) on 10 November of rainfallof which 450 mm (18 in) fell within 9 hours.

Puducherry

• Puducherry experienced relatively minor damage as the depression largely remained offshore; some trees were downed and several banana and sugarcane plantations at Kuttchipalayam were severely damaged.

• Puducherry reported receiving 55.7 mm of rainfall over the 24-hour period from 14-15 November. Water entered several houses in low-lying areas, while three houses collapsed in Uppalam.

• Mudaliarpet, parts of Rainbow Nagar, Muthialpet, Krishna Nagar and Lawspet Main Road were inundated, along with portions of roadways near Karuvadikkuppam and the Shivaji statue on the ECR, causing traffic problems.

• Several roads were badly damaged, hindering motorists, while some members of the public took the initiative to begin clearing areas of water without directions from the government.

• Chief Minister N. Rangasamy stated the official machinery had been readied in preparation for any flooding, while local administration officials closed all schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal districts on 16 November, anticipating further rainfall.

• On 24 November, it was reported over 4800 hectares of farmland had been flooded, though it remained too early to determine the extent of crop damage.

• A 65-year-old man in Ariyankuppam was killed on 9 November when a mud wall collapsed, while a 53-year-old man in Uppalam was subsequently reported to have died due to the rain.

• Two other individuals were reported to have been killed by wall collapses by 24 November.

Tamil Nadu

• By the afternoon of 9 November, the city of Chennai had received 43 mm of rain in a six-hour period.

• Low-lying parts of Chennai were inundated by the afternoon of 13 November, resulting in the evacuation of over 1000 people from their homes, while a cyclone alert closed schools and colleges across Puducherry and Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts in Tamil Nadu; fishermen were warned against sailing due to high waters and rough seas.

• The flooding in Chennai city was worsened by years of illegal development and inadequate levels of flood preparedness. During the 24-hour period from 15-16 November, Chennai city received 246.5 mm of rainfall, the highest amount recorded since November 2005, and was described to have "sunk" on 16 November.

• Much of the city remained underwater by the evening of 17 November, though rainfall had largely ceased.

• As of 22 November, 122 people in Tamil Nadu were reported to have died due to the flooding, while over 70,000 people had been rescued.

• The state government reported preliminary flood damages of ₹8481 crore, and requested ₹2000 crore for immediate relief efforts.

• As of 24 November, Chennai received 1185 mm of rainfall, breaking a record of 1088 mm set in November 1918.

City residents were of the opinion that the floods showed up the city's preparations to deal with monsoons

Most of the main streets were waterlogged, bringing the city to a standstill

It was not only humans affected by the torrential rains

Roads resembled waterways, pedestrian subways began filling up with water, schools and colleges were shut

• Indian media coverage the Chennai floods 2015 with a little bit of informative and caveat manner.

• Times of India and The Hindu managed this issue in front page in most of the editions.

• Tamil and Malayalam newspapers also covered this news in front page in all editions.

• None of the Western media reported about the Chennai floods 2015.

• In comparing to news all are written in the same manner.

• The background of the flood and it’s consequences.

• Number of photographs were arise in every days.

• Not only print media, electronic media also popularized the Chennai floods.

• CNN and Times Now made discussions and live reporting in every hour.

• Tamil news channels were fully engaged with the information on floods and warnings.

• Even though the social media networks also reported the every second action of Chennai floods.

• The Facebook and WhatsApp newsfeeds were mostly on the flood in Chennai.

• Information about missing people and minute-by-minute updates also helped the people in Tamil Nadu to get know the current situation.

• Rather than sensationalize the both the local and other media coverage the Chennai flood 2015 in a complete sensitizing way.

• When something happens media’s are eager to report the news in a competitive manner… but, what ever it is we can that they are the backbone of our society… they can crack everything.

THANK YOU…