Heavy rain in Chennai leads to waterlogging in many places

Chennai:  Heavy rains that lashed Chennai city on Wednesday night have led to waterlogging in many areas.

The downpour commenced after 6 P.M. on Wednesday and many areas of the city experienced rain on Thursday also.

Many areas including Anna Nagar (East), Anna Nagar (West), Purushuwalkam, T-Nagar, Mount Road, Virugambakkam, Vadapalani, Nungambakkam, Tambaram, Pammal received more than 100 mm of rain that led to flooding of the streets.

Greater Chennai Corporation cleared garbage from the drains and used pumps to remove water from low-lying areas.

Perambur railway underpass was closed as it was filled with water.

Chennai Corporation Mayor Priya told IANS that water from most of the underpass has been cleared and now it has been opened for traffic.

It may be recalled that the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) had on Tuesday predicted heavy rains in many districts of Tamil Nadu for the next two days.

The weather department in a statement on Tuesday said that low pressure has formed over West Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining Bay of North Andhra-South Odisha coast and due to this many districts of the state are expected to receive heavy rains.

Weather department officials told IANS that the heavy rains in Chennai since Wednesday night were mainly due to the low pressure.

The RMC has also indicated that strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30 to 40 kmph will blow in the state for two days.

Fishermen are advised not to venture out into the sea as squally winds with wind speed of 45 kmph to 55 kmph are likely to hit the Gulf of Mannar, south Tamil Nadu coast and also the adjoining Cameron area.

The heavy rains have affected Tiruvallur, Vellore and Cuddalore districts as well as some areas in Puducherry.

Weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 7.42 cm rainfall and 7.12 cm rainfall respectively from 8.30 A.M. on Wednesday till 5.30 A.M. on Thursday.

–IANS