Tamil Nadu is currently experiencing heavy rainfall due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal, which began on 14 October 2024, signaling the onset of the northeast monsoon. Most coastal districts have been placed on high alert. The continuous downpour has led to significant flooding in many cities, with residential areas and roads submerged in knee-deep water, disrupting daily life. This deluge has caused severe traffic jams, paralyzed public transport, and resulted in the cancellation of numerous domestic flights. Surprisingly, districts like Coimbatore and Madurai have also been affected.
In this context, residents of Madurai, particularly in Vandiyur and Sourashtrapuram, have put up posters stating, “If you see him, tell him to come” (Kanda Vara Sollunga), based on a song from Karnan movie. Su. Venkatesan of the CPI-M (DMK Alliance), who has been elected as the MP for the Madurai Lok Sabha Constituency for the second consecutive time, is the target of these posters. The messages express frustration that, despite his electoral victories, he has not visited the constituency to express gratitude or address the poor road conditions in Vandiyur. This has stirred significant local unrest.
#Justnow | MPயை தேடி போஸ்டர்#Suvenkatesan | #Posters | #MaduraiMP | #Vandiyur | #Newstamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/2t9eyPm7j5
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) October 16, 2024
This isn’t the first instance of public discontent directed at him. While the MP frequently focuses on chance to criticise the BJP and promoting the DMK’s agenda, similar posters have surfaced before. He even posed for a photo with them and shared it on social media, shamelessly ignoring the criticism. This pattern indicates that the MP remains largely unbothered by the ongoing backlash.
Madurai Flooding
Madurai’s civic infrastructure faced a significant challenge on 12 October 2024, as heavy rainfall inundated the city and district, leading to widespread waterlogging and considerable damage to roads. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or injuries.
Mayor Indrani Ponvasanth acknowledged the “certain challenges” posed by the weather but noted that by morning, the main roads and underpasses had been cleared of water.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Madurai received 16 cm of rainfall in just over four hours. Areas around the Periyar bus stand, Arapalayam, and Mattuthavani were particularly hard-hit, prompting residents to call authorities for help in clearing blocked drains. Major thoroughfares, including PTR Road, Gokul Main Road, Narimedu Main Road, FF Road, and Selur 60 Feet Road near Panthalkudi, sustained significant damage, with reports of sewage water intrusion at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH).
Mayor Ponvasanth commended the prompt response of the city’s civic workers, stating, “By 7 am on 13 October, the water was cleared, and all three affected subways—Tirupparankundram, Maninagar, and Sellur—were reopened for public use.”
The IMD reported that Madurai North received 110.6 mm of rainfall, Tallakulam 121 mm, and Periyapatti 116.2 mm on 12 October 2024.
Clogged drains exacerbated flooding and disrupted daily life. In addition to main roads, interior neighborhoods such as T M Nagar, Avaniyapuram, and Villapuram were affected by stagnant water and sewage intrusion. Several areas, including Pankajam Colony, Officers Town, and Kulamangalam Road, experienced rainwater flooding homes and apartments.
Ashraf Yunus, a resident of Pankajam Colony, lamented that the city’s infrastructure struggles to cope with heavy rainfall. “Every year we file complaints with the corporation, but nothing has improved,” he said. In response, the corporation began dewatering operations at the Periyar bus stand and cleared debris from stormwater drains at locations like Munichalai Junction, Kamarajar Road, Chinthamani, and Keerathurai. Activist Veronica Marry criticized the maintenance of the sewage system at Rajaji Hospital, warning that heavy rain could worsen the situation.
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