Chennai continues to experience heavy rainfall for the second consecutive day, leading to widespread waterlogging in many areas of the city. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu, warning of “very heavy rainfall” on October 17 and 18, further intensifying the situation.
Visuals from the city show several parts submerged under knee-deep water, with areas like Madley Subway and Mambalam being the worst hit. Traffic congestion and disruption to public transport services have been reported, as authorities work to pump out water in flooded areas, including Choolaimedu.
The downpour began earlier on Tuesday, causing streets to flood with muddy water, and garbage was seen floating in some areas, such as Pattalam. Despite these challenges, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has been actively monitoring the situation. On Tuesday, he visited rain-affected areas in Chennai, inspecting the conditions and sharing tea with rescue and relief workers. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also visited the Integrated Control and Command Centre to assess the city’s situation and provided updates on the ongoing efforts.
“Chennai has recorded an average of 5 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Sholinganallur and Teynampet witnessing the highest amounts, around 6 cm,” Udhayanidhi Stalin said. “We are managing the situation, and no power cuts have been reported. Tree falls were reported in eight locations, and teams are working to clear them. Two subways have been flooded, and traffic has been closed in those areas,” he added.
The Tamil Nadu government has deployed 26 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) across Chennai and other coastal areas. The pumping motors are already draining stagnant water in over 300 locations, while special health camps have been established, with around 100 camps in Chennai alone.
In anticipation of further rain, the government declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts. Residents in flood-prone areas, such as Velachery, have parked their vehicles on flyovers to protect them from flood damage.
The state government has also issued an advisory to fishermen, warning them to avoid venturing into the sea during the heavy rains. IT companies have been asked to allow employees to work from home from October 15 to 18 to avoid further complications.
Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired a review meeting with senior officials and provided further instructions for relief efforts. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N Muruganandam also met with officials to ensure necessary arrangements were made to mitigate the impact of the ongoing rainfall.
As the city continues to battle waterlogging and infrastructure challenges, authorities remain on high alert, with emergency response teams working to address the situation and ensure public safety.
Sources By Agencies
