Chennai Faces 36 cm Rainfall as Northeast Monsoon Hits

Chennai was significantly affected by heavy rainfall on Saturday night as the Northeast monsoon became active, leading to severe flooding in various localities. Many areas received over 20 cm of rain, with Parrys recording the highest at 36 cm. The intense downpour caused disruption to arterial roads and local neighborhoods, prompting immediate action from local authorities.

The Greater Chennai Corporation reported that several locations experienced extreme rainfall, including Kathivakkam with 34.4 cm and Meenambakkam with 28.5 cm. In total, six areas recorded rainfall exceeding 20 cm, while an additional 17 locations experienced very heavy rainfall ranging from 11.5 cm to 20.4 cm. The rapid accumulation of water led to significant waterlogging and urban flooding.

Amidst social media speculation about a possible cloudburst, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) clarified that the rainfall was not due to a localized cloudburst event, which is defined as receiving 100 mm or more of rain in an hour. Instead, the IMD attributed the rainfall to organized convective activity linked to cyclonic circulation, which resulted in widespread precipitation across the city and surrounding areas.

In response to the flooding, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre on Sunday afternoon to assess the situation. He praised the efforts of officials who worked tirelessly over the past two days to manage the crisis and urged all departments to collaborate effectively in the coming days to mitigate further impacts of the monsoon.

Looking ahead, the government is expected to continue monitoring weather conditions closely and coordinate relief efforts as necessary. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any flooding or related issues to local authorities as the Northeast monsoon continues to affect the region.