In Brief
- Heavy rain lashes Chennai with flooded roads and traffic disruptions.
- IMD forecasts widespread rainfall with yellow alert till October 23.
- Northeast monsoon intensifies causing significant waterlogging in Tamil Nadu.
- Continued heavy rain expected till October 21 affects daily life and commute.
Chennai experienced heavy rainfall on October 18 as the northeast monsoon became active over Tamil Nadu. The downpour led to waterlogging on many city roads, causing traffic snarls and disruption in daily commute.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Tamil Nadu, valid until October 23, indicating a likelihood of widespread rainfall. The IMD forecasted very heavy rain in some areas through October 21. Residents and motorists have been advised to exercise caution due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
The active northeast monsoon typically brings significant rainfall to the region between October and December. This year’s early intensification has resulted in flooding in low-lying areas of Chennai and other parts of the state, impacting transportation and public life.
Authorities are monitoring the situation and managing traffic to mitigate the impact of water accumulation on city roads. The rainfall has also replenished reservoirs but raised concerns over urban drainage systems coping with the volume of water.
