Chennai and its surrounding regions have been battered by intense rainfall over the past 24 hours, as the northeast monsoon continues to maintain a strong presence in the region. According to data released by the Regional Meteorological Centre on Sunday, the city and its adjoining areas have recorded significant precipitation, with several pockets receiving more than 20 cm of rain. This seasonal weather pattern, which typically occurs between October and December, has left major urban areas dealing with widespread waterlogging.
The impact of the downpour has been most pronounced in North Chennai. Meteorological reports indicate that Parrys recorded the highest rainfall in the city, reaching 36.3 cm within the 24-hour window. Other regions also saw substantial accumulation, with Kathivakkam registering 34 cm and Central Chennai receiving 27 cm. Additionally, locations such as Thiruvottiyur and Ennore logged 22 cm each, while MGR Nagar recorded 19 cm. Beyond these specific figures, the Regional Meteorological Centre noted that at least twelve other parts of the city received rainfall exceeding 11.5 cm.
In response to the deteriorating weather conditions, the Tamil Nadu government has initiated an extensive relief and rehabilitation operation. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has issued direct instructions to senior ministers, lawmakers, and state officials to oversee the ground-level efforts to mitigate the impact of the flooding. Despite the severity of the rainfall, authorities confirmed that there have been no reports of major accidents or loss of life as of Sunday evening.
Field operations are currently being managed by a workforce of approximately 15,000 conservancy staff. These teams are utilizing a fleet of nearly 650 electric motor pumps and tractor-mounted units to drain water from inundated streets and residential areas. Furthermore, a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to assist in flood-prone zones, while four additional teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) remain on standby to respond to any emergencies.
Government officials have reported that significant progress has been made in clearing arterial roads, and water has been successfully pumped out of several city subways, allowing for the restoration of traffic movement. To support residents who may have been displaced or impacted by the deluge, nine relief centres have been established across the affected areas. Efforts are currently ongoing to remove stagnant water from remaining low-lying localities, which have proved the most challenging to drain.
The meteorological department has warned that the weather is expected to remain volatile. Their latest update suggests that heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is likely to persist in isolated areas. Other districts, including Chengalpattu, Villuppuram, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Erode, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, and Salem, have also been placed under watch. Residents in these regions have been advised to remain cautious as the northeast monsoon continues its active phase over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
As the state continues to manage the immediate aftermath of the rainfall, the administration remains focused on both sustaining the current drainage efforts and preparing for potential further precipitation. The combination of sustained monitoring by the Regional Meteorological Centre and the active deployment of disaster response teams is intended to keep the situation stable until the weather intensity subsides in the coming days.
Comments