Chennai woke up to another day of relentless rain on Tuesday as the remnants of Cyclone Ditwah continued to hover near the Tamil Nadu coast. Though the system has weakened, its moisture-packed bands are still sending heavy to very heavy rainfall over Chennai and neighbouring districts, triggering widespread waterlogging and traffic chaos across the city.
City roads underwater, schools shut, travel hit
Large parts of Chennai, especially in the northern belt including Parry’s Corner, Manali, Ennore, Tondiarpet and Basin Bridge, were submerged after receiving over 20 cm of rain in just 24 hours. Several arterial roads turned into mini rivers, slowing down traffic and leaving many commuters stranded.
Two-wheelers struggled to move through deep water, public transport services were delayed, and many residential colonies reported flooding inside homes. Authorities declared a holiday for schools as a safety measure, while emergency teams were deployed to clear drains, pump out stagnant water and attend to distress calls.
Suburban rail services also saw delays due to waterlogged tracks in a few stretches.
Officials on alert as more rain expected
Disaster response teams and civic authorities worked through the day to restore normalcy. The intense rainfall also affected low-lying rural pockets outside the city, prompting relief measures and crop damage assessments.
The IMD has continued rainfall alerts for coastal Tamil Nadu, warning fishermen not to venture into the sea due to rough conditions. According to forecasts, the heaviest rain is likely to shift towards interior and western Tamil Nadu over the next 24-48 hours. Chennai may see a gradual reduction in rainfall from December 4, but intermittent showers may continue.
Officials have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay updated through official advisories and take precautions in flooded areas.
