Chennai witnesses heaviest rainfall since 2015, flood alert issued

Chennai received the heaviest rainfall since 2015 even as heavy showers continued to lash parts of the city and its suburban areas overnight. Normal lives of people were affected as streets were flooded and waterlogged. Meanwhile, authorities issued a preliminary flood alert to people on Sunday. As heavy rain continues to cause waterlogging in Chennai and nearby areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall in the days to come. Sounding a preliminary flood alert, the state water resources authorities advised district collectors of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to evacuate people living in low-lying areas. The locals here are being moved to safe locations. 

Meanwhile, Chembarambakkam and Puzhal reservoirs, which serve as important sources of drinking water to Chennai city is being set to open in order to clear the rainwater surplus.  Intermittent rains began in Chennai and several suburbs in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts Saturday morning. However, the rains have now become fierce and come down non-stop since the night that leading to inundation in many areas. Areas in Chennai that reported heavy waterlogging includes Koratur, Perambur, Porur, Poonamalle, Kodambakkam, Anna Salai, T Nagar, Guindy, Adyar, Perungudi and OMR. Residents of these areas took to social media to share videos and photos of the flooding in the areas. Police and emergency forces are being deployed in areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has now predicted heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu for the next five days. The department has also issued rain alerts in Puducherry and Karaikal areas.