Chennai Faces Red Alert as Northeast Monsoon Delivers 36 cm Rain
Chennai is under a red alert due to heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 36 cm in just 24 hours.
Chennai recorded 36 cm of rain, marking the first heavy spell of the northeast monsoon.
The Greater Chennai Corporation successfully managed waterlogging, ensuring major roads remained clear.
Nine relief centers have been established for residents in low-lying areas affected by the rain.
Chennai is currently facing a red alert as the northeast monsoon brings extremely heavy rainfall, with forecasts indicating over 20 cm of rain within the next 24 hours. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has also issued an orange alert for surrounding districts including Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur, as well as western districts like Nilgiris and Coimbatore.
The RMC's weather bulletin, released on Sunday afternoon, reported significant rainfall across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal over the previous day. Notably, Parry's Corner in Chennai recorded the highest rainfall at 36 cm, while Kathivakkam nearby received 34 cm. This marks the first major rainfall event of the northeast monsoon, which has been vigorous over the region.
Despite the severe weather, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) reported that proactive measures were taken to manage the situation. The GCC stated that all 22 subways in Chennai were cleared of waterlogging by 6 am on Sunday, with no casualties or major accidents reported. Continuous rescue operations were conducted, and major thoroughfares were kept clear of water.
In response to the heavy rainfall, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF) deployed teams to assist in vulnerable areas. Additionally, nine relief centers were set up to provide food and support to residents in low-lying regions affected by flooding. The GCC confirmed that rainwater had been cleared from all major bus routes, and pumping operations were nearing completion in the remaining low-lying areas.
Looking ahead, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Minister Aadhav Arjuna visited the GCC headquarters to oversee the response efforts. During their visit, they met with NDRF and TNDRF teams to discuss ongoing rescue operations and ensure that necessary measures were in place for relief efforts. The situation is being closely monitored, and authorities are prepared for any further developments as the monsoon continues to impact the region.
