Chennai rain: South Chennai worst hit. Waterlogging in some areas. Schools, colleges shut. More rain expected

Heavy rain that marked the onset of the Northeast monsoon has left many parts of Chennai waterlogged. Schools and colleges in the three districts of the Chennai region have been declared shut as there is a forecast for more rain. 

Weather stations across the Greater Chennai area recorded rainfall of at least 100 mm up to 8:30 am on Tuesday. Central and northern parts of the city have had it easier so far. The southern parts of the city have witnessed especially heavy rain, especially the belt between the IT corridor and the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road. 

Predictably, the rain has badly affected traffic on arterial roads, thanks to waterlogging in some parts and fallen trees in other areas. Mount Road and GST Road have seen particularly bad traffic snarls. A number of subways were shut because of waterlogging.

Tuesday morning however has seen limited rain, which has given time for water to run-off in some areas. 

Local weather watchers have advised public to stock up on essentials and limit venturing out of their homes in case of more rain or waterlogging. 

The Met Department and weather bloggers have both predicted that the entire northern Tamil Nadu coast up to at least Nagapattinam is likely to see 'moderate to heavy rainfall'.

The low pressure system that is bringing the present bout of rain is also expected to have an effect on non-coastal cities of Tamil Nadu. Overcast skies and possible thunderstorms have been predicted for Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Coimbatore.

The rain, while affecting normal life, is however likely to replenish Chennai's precariously low water supply. If the rainfall is heavy enough to fill up all the reservoirs, then there might be cause for concern as far as a city-wide flood like 2015 is concerned.