Chennai rains today; Traffic, flight delay to cause trouble, schools shut

Chennai rains are expected to continue today. This may lead to water-logging and traffic snarls. All schools in the district will remain closed. Heavy rains lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu on Monday, including Chennai, partially disrupting normal life in some areas in this metropolis and claiming one life in Thanjavur district. Air services in Chennai airport were affected. SpiceJet and other airlines issued an advisory to customers to check their flight status.

"Due to heavy rain in Chennai, all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights might get affected," SpiceJet tweeted.

Chennai Rains Helpline numbers: 1913 
 

044 - 25367823

044 - 25384965

044 - 25383694

 

Though the showers, the first big spell after the North East Monsoon set in over the state last week, brought cheers in several parts hit by water scarcity, they also caused traffic snarls and inundation.

A 38-year-old man died when a mud wall of his hut collapsed in Thinnaiyoor near Thanjavur district's Orathanadu which experienced heavy rains, police said.

The intermittent rains, under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over South West Bay of Bengal, began Sunday night in parts of the state, and intensified Monday morning.

Reports on Ground Strikes of Lightning coming in (Monday's image)

The Met office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours.

"The upper air cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka yesterday continues to be positioned in the same region," Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre here S Balachandran told reporters.

Due to this, coastal districts and many places in interior districts were likely to witness moderate showers in the next 24 hours, he said.

Some areas in coastal districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Ramanathapuram might experience heavy and very heavy rains as well, he added.

Traffic in Chennai came to a grinding halt in several locations like the arterial GST Road and Anna Salai, affecting traffic bound for airport and other outskirt areas.

A couple crosses the waterlogged service road near the Marina beach during heavy downpour due to the onset of Northeast monsoon in Chennai. Photo: PTI

Buses were delayed in several areas and parts of the city and suburbs witnessed water-logging, affecting office-goers and school children.

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan said the civic body was fully geared to tackle the situation.

He said the corporation had over 450 water pumps which would be used in low-lying areas to bale out water in the event of water-logging.

Reports from Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur said several parts the districts received rains since Monday morning.