Indian newspaper not published for the first time in 137 years due to floods

Rescuers evacuate people to safe places in Chennai, India, Dec. 1, 2015. Many parts of Chennai and its suburbs were flooded after two days of heavy rainfall. (Xinhua)

The Hindu, one of the oldest newspapers in India, was not published on Wednesday for the first time in 137 years due to heavy downpour and flooding in Chennai.

The paper, famous for its history of objective journalism has been published daily since 1878 but on Wednesday, it could not get printed as its employees were unable to reach the printing press.

Headquartered in Chennai, The Hindu is published in 17 other cities of India.

Paper’s publisher N Murali said, “Our Maraimalainagar township was not accessible for the people who run the plant. So, none of our staff could reach the plant. It is located about 30kms (18 miles) from the city in Maraimalainagar.”

“The printing press plant is large so we put it up outside the city. Even if we had printed the paper, I doubt if it could have been distributed in the city,” he added.

Although other publications such as the Times of India, the Deccan Chronicle and the New Indian Express were published, it was not ascertained if they could reach their readers.

With the army deployed in the city to rescue flood-hit people, school and colleges have been shut in six districts due to the heavy downpour.