Chennai rainfall intensified sharply, with six locations recording extremely heavy rain and several low-lying areas inundated during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on October 18. Parrys recorded the city’s highest total at 363.4 mm, while the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) forecast more heavy to very heavy rain for Chennai and its neighbourhood on Sunday.
The RMC said 17 locations recorded very heavy rainfall and 18 received heavy rainfall during the period. Chennai’s average rainfall was 105.96 mm. Rainfall above 204.4 mm is classified as extremely heavy.
After Parrys, the highest totals were recorded at Kathivakkam with 344.4 mm, Meenambakkam with 285.8 mm, Chennai Central with 274.5 mm, Tiruvottiyur with 224.4 mm and Ennore with 215.8 mm.
Among the locations that recorded very heavy rainfall, Kargil Nagar received 192.4 mm, followed by Cemetery Road at 179.4 mm, Saidapet at 170.2 mm, Pudupet at 142 mm and Ice House at 138.6 mm. Tondiarpet recorded 166.5 mm, while rainfall at Madhavaram, New Manali Town and Madipakkam stood at 126.3 mm, 121.8 mm and 120.6 mm respectively. Aminjikarai received 96.9 mm.
The intense spell triggered waterlogging and inundation in several parts of the city, including AGS Colony in Velachery, Prakasam Road in Broadway and Ice House in Triplicane, as well as other low-lying areas. A rescue team of 30 personnel equipped with six boats was deployed in the inundated AGS Colony area.
Geetha Ganesh, a resident of AGS Colony, said several major streets in the western part of the locality experienced waterlogging, with water reaching up to two feet on some roads. She said the water had started receding by morning and was flowing into Veerangal Odai, but added that water needed to be pumped out during heavy rain because neighbouring roads were at a higher level.
The RMC said satellite imagery showed significant convective cloud development over north coastal Tamil Nadu and adjoining sea areas. The development was associated with a cyclonic circulation over the region, which the weather office said was likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall over Chennai and its neighbourhood on Sunday.
Moderate rainfall was recorded at 22 locations, while two areas received light rainfall. The latest forecast places the city under continued risk of intense rain as authorities respond to inundation in affected neighbourhoods.
