Chennai rainfall crossed 360 mm in Parrys as intense overnight showers affected several parts of the city, with water surrounding homes in north Chennai and Kancheepuram, according to a report by Dinamalar. The downpour followed the start of Tamil Nadu’s northeast monsoon and continued from the evening of October 17 into the early hours of October 18.
Light rain began in Chennai at about 6 pm on October 17 and gradually intensified, the report said. Heavy rain continued without a break until midnight. More than 30 locations recorded over 100 mm of rainfall, with Parrys recording the highest total at 361 mm by 5.30 am on October 18.
Other high rainfall totals included 344 mm at Kathivakkam, 284 mm at Meenambakkam, 260 mm at Sattangadu, 223 mm at Tiruvottiyur and 215 mm at Ennore. Kargil Nagar recorded 192 mm, while Saidapet received 170 mm and Tondiarpet recorded 164 mm.
Rainfall totals also exceeded 150 mm at several other monitoring points. Kolapakkam recorded 161 mm, Basin Bridge and Vepery each recorded 154 mm, and Nungambakkam recorded 149 mm. Puthupet received 142 mm, while Egmore recorded 138 mm and Alandur 137 mm.
The report said rainfall was recorded across central, northern and southern parts of the Chennai urban region. Pulianthope and Madhavaram each recorded 126 mm, Arumbuliyur recorded 124 mm, and Chennai Central and Valasaravakkam each recorded 120 mm.
The concentration of high readings across multiple monitoring locations indicates that the rain affected a wide area rather than being confined to one neighbourhood. The locations listed include major residential, industrial, transport and commercial zones, including Kathivakkam, Ennore, Tiruvottiyur, Meenambakkam, Chennai Central and Nungambakkam.
Dinamalar reported that rainwater surrounded residential areas in north Chennai and Kancheepuram. The supplied report did not provide details on road closures, public transport disruptions, evacuations, casualties, power outages or official relief and drainage operations.
The rainfall occurred during the opening phase of the northeast monsoon, a period in which the city’s drainage capacity and low-lying neighbourhoods face renewed pressure. The latest readings place the heaviest accumulation in northern Chennai, while substantial rainfall was also recorded in central and southern monitoring points. The report’s final rainfall figures were measured up to 5.30 am on October 18.
