Heavy rain brings Chennai to its knees, govt extends holidays as city braces for intense downpour

Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu experienced extremely heavy rainfall due to the onset of the Northeast Monsoon on Tuesday.

Key reservoirs in and around Chennai, including Cholavaram, Redhills, and Chembarambakkam, saw significant inflows, with Cholavaram receiving 302.6 mm of rain in a day.

The combined storage of six major reservoirs reached 41.61% capacity, with 5,502.17 million cubic feet (mcft) of water, up from 4,844.20 mcft the previous day.

A depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh coast near Chennai by Thursday, bringing more rainfall. (PTI)

Heavy rains subsided in most parts of northern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, on Wednesday, bringing relief to the region. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced free food provision in Amma canteens in Chennai on October 16 and 17 to assist those affected by the rain.

Relief efforts are in full swing, with the Greater Chennai Corporation providing shelter and food to those displaced from low-lying areas.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a depression over the Bay of Bengal, located southeast of Chennai and Puducherry, is expected to cross the north Tamil Nadu-South Andhra Pradesh coasts near Chennai by early morning on October 17. Intermittent heavy rains occurred on Tuesday but stopped late at night.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) predicts a day of dramatic weather ahead. Expect the sky to be mostly cloudy, with thunderstorms and lightning. Moderate to heavy rain is set to sweep through various areas until evening.

Heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu has led to the cancellation of eight flights to and from Chennai, including services from Bengaluru, Andaman, New Delhi, and Muscat. The cancelled flights include Akasa Air and IndiGo services, with disruptions affecting both arrivals and departures, according to the ANI reports. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for updates due to potential changes in flight schedules.

The government said relief centres have been set up, and food and medical supplies are being stocked in case of emergency. Over 160 relief centres, equipped with essential supplies like milk and biscuits, are now operational in the most at-risk areas.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin held a meeting to assess the state's preparedness, directing the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in flood-prone areas.

He also inspected flood-prone zones near the Narayanapuram lake. Chengalpattu districts like Maduranthagam, Cheyyur, and Thirukkalukundram were also affected. Local authorities are monitoring the situation as visuals show flooded streets across the city.

Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a red alert for several districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall due to an emerging low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal. Chennai, along with the other north Tamil Nadu districts — Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur — are expected to receive up to 20 cm of rain in the next few days.