Chennai comes to a standstill as record rainfall wrecks havoc, hits normal life - See pics

Since Saturday morning, Chennai and several suburbs in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts have been witnessing intermittent rains.

 

In view of heavy rains, vehicular traffic, bus and train services were also affected in various parts of the city.  (Photo: ANI)

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran has informed that about 260 houses have been damaged and that 160 relief centres were opened in Chennai.

 

He stated that more than 50,000 food packets have also been distributed to people in China by the government on Sunday.  (Photo: ANI)

According to the Deputy Director General of Meteorology, S Balachandran, the all-time record of highest rain in China was 45 CM in 1976. Following that in 1985, the city had recorded 25 CM and 33 CM rainfall on two different dates.

 

Subsequently, in 2015, the city experienced 25 CM rainfall and now the city has recorded close to that level.  (Photo: IANS)

Since the start of the Northeast monsoon in October, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry regions have experienced about 43 per cent excess rainfall.  (Photo: IANS)

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin inspected several inundated areas in Chennai along with top officials including Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu and directed authorities to take swift action to drain floodwater.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to MK Stalin and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rainfall in parts of the state. 

 

The PM prayed for everyone's well-being and safety and assured all possible support from the Centre in rescue and relief work.  (Photo: PTI)

People were evacuated in inflatable boats by disaster response teams from some of the locations.  (Photo: IANS)

Most city and peripheral roads came under sheets of water and several trees were uprooted which led to traffic diversions and disruption in transport services.  (Photo: PTI)

People were seen wading through ankle-deep water to reach nearby shops to buy essential commodities.  (Photo: PTI)

The state government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet districts on November 8 and 9.  (Photo: IANS)

According to the state government, districts like Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tiruvarur, Villupuram, Erode, Karur, Cuddalore, Pudukottai, Perambalur have received more than 60 per cent of normal rainfall (during the season).  (Photo: IANS)

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that a cyclonic circulation lay over north coastal Tamil Nadu, southeast of the Bay of Bengal and a low-pressure area is likely to form by November 9 and the agency has forecast more rainfall for the next few days in the state.  (Photo: IANS)