Chennai experienced torrential downpours over the weekend, causing significant flooding across various parts of the city.
Rainfall data for the 24 hours ending at 5.30am on Sunday showed that Nungambakkam recorded 157.8mm and Meenambakkam 146.7mm. Other locations that received heavy rain included YMCA Nandanam (148.5mm), Anna University (111mm) and Puzhal (77mm). More than 15,000 sanitation and other civic workers had been deployed across Chennai through the night to manage the situation. Automatic rain gauges across Chennai were transmitting readings every 15 minutes, allowing officials to monitor rainfall intensity. Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna was scheduled to inspect the situation at Ripon Buildings at 1.30am. Weather blogger Pradeep John described the rainfall as Chennai’s heaviest spell since Cyclone Michaung in December 2023, which brought around 400–450mm of rain in a day. “This is the heaviest rainfall Chennai has witnessed since Cyclone Michaung in December 2023, which brought around 400–450mm of rain in a day. After nearly 25 dry days, these rains arriving with the onset of the Northeast Monsoon make this spell even more special,” he said.
Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G S Sameeran said rainfall in some parts of the city had exceeded expectations.
CHENNAI: Heavy rain continued to lash Chennai overnight into Sunday, inundating several areas, with Ennore Port recording 222.5mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 5.30am. The RMC attributed the rainfall to a cyclonic circulation over northern Tamil Nadu and adjoining southern coastal Andhra Pradesh. Satellite imagery indicated significant convective cloud development over north coastal Tamil Nadu and adjoining sea areas. Across the city, Ennore, Tiruvottiyur and Manali were among the affected localities in North Chennai. Broadway, Prakasam Salai, Mannadi and Parry’s Corner also received very heavy rainfall, with some areas recording around 30cm.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in Chennai and neighbouring areas on Sunday, while authorities have mobilised thousands of civic workers and disaster response teams to prepare for possible flooding.