Chennai Faces Severe Flooding as Heavy Rains Hit Tamil Nadu
Chennai is grappling with severe flooding due to heavy rains, prompting the Chief Minister to call ministers back to oversee relief efforts.
Chennai, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : Heavy rainfall in Chennai has led to significant flooding, prompting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to instruct ministers overseeing monsoon preparations to return immediately to the city. The intense downpour has submerged roads, disrupted traffic, and inundated residential areas. Forecasts indicate that more rain is expected over the next two days.
As part of the arrangements made in August, these ministers were tasked with managing rainfall responses and relief operations across 15 zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation. Following overnight rains, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for them to monitor ongoing efforts in their respective areas.
The city experienced heavy rain from Saturday evening until midnight, accompanied by strong winds and lightning. Many streets transformed into rivers, causing significant challenges for drivers and residents alike.
Northern Chennai has been particularly hard hit, with reports indicating that Periyar Corner received 36 cm of rain, while Kathivakkam near Tiruvottiyur recorded 33 cm and Sathangadu saw 25 cm.
Severe waterlogging has been reported in over 30 areas, including Royapuram, Tondiarpet, Egmore, Saidapet, Nungambakkam, and Alandur, where rainfall exceeded 10 cm.
At a government maternity hospital located on a main road in Tiruvottiyur, water reached knee-deep levels, causing significant difficulties for patients and visitors. Additionally, rainwater infiltrated the premises of the Vadivudai Amman Temple, and a temporary structure set up for the Navratri festival collapsed.
Traffic was severely affected on GP Road in Royapuram, where vehicles struggled to navigate the flooded road. Similarly, water accumulation near the Gemini Flyover in Nungambakkam led to further disruptions.
The Meteorological Department attributes the rainfall to an atmospheric circulation over northern Tamil Nadu and adjacent southern coastal Andhra Pradesh. They have predicted heavy rainfall for 17 districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Tiruchi, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai, and Erode.
Other parts of Tamil Nadu may experience moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. With the likelihood of continued rain, the Chief Minister’s directive has prompted responsible ministers to return to Chennai, as the administration grapples with flooding and disruptions to daily life. The situation is particularly critical in the northern regions, where heavy rainfall has made access to roads, a hospital, and a temple complex challenging. The forecast for more rain in the coming days has heightened the urgency of government actions in the affected areas.
