Chennai has activated a large-scale flood response after intense overnight rain inundated several areas, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting heavy to very heavy showers in the city and 16 other Tamil Nadu districts. More than 15,000 sanitation and civic workers were deployed across Chennai through the night, while disaster response teams were placed on standby as rainfall continued on Sunday.
Ennore Port recorded 222.5mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 5.30am, according to rainfall data cited by the Regional Meteorological Centre. Nungambakkam recorded 157.8mm and Meenambakkam 146.7mm during the same period. Other high readings included 148.5mm at YMCA Nandanam, 111mm at Anna University and 77mm at Puzhal.
North Chennai was among the worst-affected parts of the city, with Ennore, Tiruvottiyur and Manali reporting inundation. Broadway, Prakasam Salai, Mannadi and Parry’s Corner also received very heavy rainfall, with some locations recording around 30cm. Additional chief secretary and commissioner B Chandra Mohan said Kathivakkam, Tiruvottiyur, Parry’s Corner, Sathanagadu, Meenambakkam and Basin Bridge had received approximately 30cm of rain.
Chandra Mohan warned that central and southern parts of Chennai could also experience heavy showers. Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G S Sameeran said rainfall in some parts of the city had exceeded expectations. Civic workers were deployed to manage the immediate impact, including waterlogging and sanitation-related operations.
The RMC attributed the rainfall to a cyclonic circulation over northern Tamil Nadu and adjoining southern coastal Andhra Pradesh. Satellite imagery showed significant convective cloud development over north coastal Tamil Nadu and adjoining sea areas. Automatic rain gauges across Chennai were transmitting readings every 15 minutes to help officials monitor rainfall intensity and identify areas requiring intervention.
The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Response Force had deployed 100 personnel as a precautionary measure. National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams were also being sent to Chennai to assist with emergency operations if flooding worsened. Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna was scheduled to inspect the situation at Ripon Buildings at 1.30am.
The RMC forecast heavy rain on Sunday in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai and Erode. The forecast for Monday included Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Thoothukudi, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur and Perambalur.
Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning was also likely in Tiruchirappalli, the Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli. Chennai and its neighbouring districts featured in the forecast for both days, keeping the city’s emergency response focused on rainfall monitoring, flood management and the deployment of additional response teams.
