🌧️ Chennai Gets Up to 36 cm of Rain in One Night — North Chennai Flooded

தமிழில் படிக்க ›

Extremely heavy rain lashed Chennai from about 6:30 pm on Saturday, October 17, until after 1:30 am on Sunday, flooding roads and homes across North Chennai. Corporation rain gauges recorded 36.3 cm at Parry’s Corner and 34.4 cm at Kathivakkam — more than half of what the city normally gets in an entire northeast monsoon season.

Where It Rained the Most

Figures from 39 corporation rain gauges, Saturday evening to Sunday morning. South Chennai got far less — Velachery about 2 cm. Weather blogger Pradeep John said it was the city’s heaviest rain since Cyclone Michaung in December 2023; whether it was a cloudburst is still being assessed.

What Happened Overnight

• Thiruvottiyur, Manali, Ennore, Sathangadu, Broadway, Prakasam Road and NSC Bose Road were among the worst hit; water entered some houses.
• More than 20 flights at Chennai airport were affected; over 10 arriving flights circled the city and departures were delayed one to two hours.
• Inflow into Puzhal lake rose to 1,400 cusecs and into Poondi to 1,000 cusecs.
• No deaths were reported.

How the City Responded

• About 15,000 corporation workers, including sanitation staff, worked through the night pumping out water.
• NDRF teams arrived for rescue and drainage in the worst-hit areas; 980 firefighters and 83 fire vehicles are on standby.
• IAS officers have been put in charge of all 15 corporation zones, and six relief centres are serving food.
• Residents of old buildings are being moved to temporary shelters; power is being cut in flooded spots for safety.
• Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is taking updates every hour and has called all in-charge ministers back to Chennai — read more ›

Helpline Numbers

Call 1913 (Greater Chennai Corporation, 24 hours) to report waterlogging or fallen trees. Zone numbers:

The Week Ahead

• Orange alert (very heavy rain) today for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram.
• A yellow alert for heavy rain is in force for 17 districts, including Chennai, until October 23.
• The Meteorological Centre says the northeast monsoon has entered an active phase, helped by a cyclonic circulation over north Tamil Nadu.

Stay Safe

• Avoid stepping out during heavy rain; keep away from fallen wires and flooded subways.
• Keep phones charged and essential medicines ready.
• Report problems to 1913 or your zone officer.

Northeast Monsoon Chennai Rain Flood NDRF Helpline 1913 Day 162