Chennai battered by heaviest rain since 2023; airport, roads hit by waterlogging
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday said public safety remains the government's top priority after heavy overnight rain battered Chennai, flooding major roads, disrupting air travel and prompting emergency operations across low-lying areas.
The downpour began around 6pm on Saturday in northern parts of the city before spreading across the region, accompanied by intense thunder and lightning. The administration put the situation under continuous hourly monitoring as rainwater accumulated in several localities.
As much as 35.8 cm of rain was recorded during the eight-hour period from 6pm to midnight, according to reports. In some localities, the rainfall was reportedly concentrated within less than an hour.
Chennai records heaviest rain since Cyclone Michaung
The intense rainfall coincided with the onset of the northeast monsoon, following nearly 25 days of dry weather.
Meteorological observations described the downpour as Chennai's heaviest rainfall event since Cyclone Michaung in December 2023. The reported 35.8 cm of rain in a single night was particularly significant against the city's typical seasonal rainfall of around 69 cm.
Municipal authorities said emergency measures were in full swing, with teams working to clear stagnant water and assist residents in flood-affected neighbourhoods.
Flooding disrupts flights and road transport
The heavy rain caused widespread disruption to transport services, with water inundating Chennai Airport and its main access roads. Deep pools of rainwater left commuters stranded and affected flight operations.
An IndiGo flight arriving from Kolkata was diverted to Hyderabad. More than 10 domestic and international flights, including services from Madurai, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram and Kuala Lumpur, were forced to remain in airborne holding patterns.
Flights connecting Chennai with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Malaysia, Delhi and Mumbai faced departure delays of around 30 minutes.
Road transport was also affected. Rainwater inundated the Kilambakkam Bus Terminus, while waterlogging was reported opposite Bilal Restaurant on Anna Salai. Vehicles were stranded on school premises along affected roads.
Ministers inspect flood-hit areas as rescue operations intensify
Tamil Nadu ministers Aadhav Arjuna and Arunraj inspected neighbourhoods affected by flooding, including Royapuram, as emergency teams worked through the night to drain accumulated water.
High-capacity suction trucks were deployed in Royapuram to pump stagnant water into nearby rivers. Aadhav Arjuna also visited Ripon Palace to coordinate relief operations with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Special relief centres were opened to accommodate residents moved out of inundated low-lying areas. Officials also instructed authorities to evacuate families living in old or dilapidated buildings amid concerns over their safety.
Residents were asked to contact the dedicated civic helpline 1913 to report waterlogging or seek emergency assistance.
The heavy downpour stopped by Sunday morning, bringing calmer weather to the city. Drainage operations continued, with water clearance reported at major locations, including the Kilambakkam Bus Terminus.