Chennai has been placed under a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall, with the Regional Meteorological Centre forecasting more than 20 cm of rain in the 24 hours from Sunday afternoon as intense northeast monsoon activity affected the city and neighbouring districts.
The RMC issued orange alerts for Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Theni for the same period. An orange alert indicates a forecast of very heavy rainfall above 11 cm.
Rainfall was recorded across most parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during the preceding 24 hours. According to the RMC bulletin issued at 2.30 pm on Sunday, Parry’s Corner in Chennai received the highest rainfall in the region at 36 cm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am. Kathivakkam recorded 34 cm during the same period.
The weather bulletin said an upper-air cyclonic circulation over north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south coastal Andhra Pradesh, which had been reported on Saturday, had become less marked. Despite this, heavy rain affected Chennai and the adjoining districts in what was described as the first heavy spell of the northeast monsoon.
The Greater Chennai Corporation said more than 30 cm of rain had fallen in parts of the metropolitan area but reported that major thoroughfares and subways had been cleared of waterlogging. The civic body said there were no casualties or major accidents reported in the city during the spell.
All 22 subways in Chennai were cleared of waterlogging and reopened for traffic by 6 am on Sunday, according to an official release. The corporation also said rainwater had been cleared from all major bus routes and most streets, while pumping operations continued in a few remaining low-lying areas.
Emergency response teams were deployed in vulnerable pockets. One National Disaster Response Force team and four Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force teams were operating on the ground, while nine relief centres were established for residents in low-lying areas. Food supplies were also distributed to people using the relief facilities.
The corporation said field operations, rescue efforts and coordination between agencies continued around the clock as rainfall intensified. The civic release described the overall situation as under control, while noting that pumping in the remaining low-lying pockets was nearing completion.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Minister for Public Works and Youth Welfare and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna separately visited the Ripon Building, which houses the Greater Chennai Corporation headquarters, following the heavy rainfall and red alert. During his visit, Aadhav Arjuna met NDRF and TNDRF personnel, held consultations and issued directions on rescue and relief measures.
