Chennai Floods Again as Heavy Rains Lash Tamil Nadu; Transport, Power and Daily Life Severely Hit

Relentless Rainfall Brings the City to a Standstill

Chennai woke up on Wednesday to yet another morning of heavy showers as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified overnight. The persistent downpour — now entering the third straight day — has inundated large parts of the city, disrupting normal life and straining civic infrastructure.

Several arterial roads, including Anna Salai, GST Road, and OMR, remained partially submerged, blocking movement of vehicles and leading to long traffic snarls. Residential neighborhoods in Velachery, Tambaram, T Nagar, and Perungudi reported water levels rising dangerously close to homes.

For many residents, the scenes were reminiscent of previous years’ extreme flooding events. However, this year’s rains are proving particularly severe due to the combination of high-intensity downpours and an overloaded drainage system.

IMD Red Alert: More Rains Expected

The IMD issued a red alert for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts, predicting continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. The weather department attributed the intense showers to a deep depression that may move further inland, bringing widespread rainfall across the state.

Officials caution that low-lying areas could witness additional flooding, and residents are advised to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay alert for civic advisories.

Transport Hit: Flights Delayed, Trains Affected, City Buses Struggle

Transport services across Chennai faced massive disruption:

• Flights: Multiple flights were delayed or diverted due to low visibility and waterlogging near airport access roads.
• Trains: Suburban rail services experienced delays as tracks in several sections became waterlogged.
• City buses: MTC buses were unable to operate on dozens of routes due to flooded roads.
• Autos and cabs: Many refused to operate in heavily inundated pockets, leaving commuters stranded.

Office-goers faced significant challenges, with many companies advising employees to work from home until conditions improve.

Power Outages Across Several Areas

In a preventive measure to avoid electrical hazards, TANGEDCO temporarily switched off power supply in several flood-prone zones. While necessary for safety, the move has added to residents’ difficulties, especially in families with elderly members, young children, or medical needs.

Technicians are working around the clock to restore supply where feasible, but officials warn that electricity will remain suspended in severely waterlogged localities until levels recede.

Hospitals Struggle as Water Enters Premises

Hospitals in low-lying areas reported flooding in entrance areas and parking spaces. While critical services remain functional, staff faced difficulty commuting to work. Ambulance movement also slowed in certain areas due to blocked paths and submerged stretches.

Health officials warned of the risk of waterborne diseases like gastroenteritis, leptospirosis and dengue — particularly if stagnant water remains after rainfall subsides.

Schools and Colleges Shut

The Tamil Nadu government announced the closure of schools and colleges across several districts. Many institutions shifted to online classes temporarily, while others cancelled ongoing assessments and tests.

Parents welcomed the decision, citing safety concerns amid the worsening conditions.

Rescue Operations Intensify

Fire and rescue personnel, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been deployed to assist residents trapped in flooded homes. Several roads became impassable due to floating debris, fallen trees and rising water levels.

Inflatable boats were used in severely affected pockets such as Saidapet, Pallikaranai and Mudichur, where residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.

Authorities say more teams are on standby in case rainfall intensifies.

Businesses and Shops Suffer Major Losses

Commercial establishments across the city — including retail shops, restaurants, tech parks and small businesses — suffered significant losses as footfall dropped and flooding damaged goods.

Many markets in T Nagar and Parry’s Corner remained closed, while IT parks on OMR reported limited attendance as companies encouraged remote work.

Small traders expressed concern that the rains may lead to long-term financial strain, especially after a year already affected by economic uncertainty.

Residents Tell Stories of Resilience and Hardship

Flooded apartment basements, stranded vehicles, and hours of power cuts became common experiences for thousands of residents. Several families described navigating waist-deep water to access essential supplies.

Local volunteers stepped up by distributing food packets, helping elderly citizens relocate, and clearing small debris from streets. Community kitchens were set up in certain neighbourhoods to support those unable to cook or procure food.

Despite the struggle, many expressed gratitude for their neighbours’ support, highlighting the city’s spirit of solidarity during crises.

Why Chennai Floods So Easily: Urban Planning Under Scrutiny

The repeated flooding has renewed debate over the city’s drainage and urban planning systems. Experts cite:

• Rapid urbanisation without adequate stormwater infrastructure
• Encroachment of wetlands and natural drainage channels
• Poor maintenance of sewage and stormwater networks
• Insufficient desilting before monsoon seasons
• Reduced green cover and higher surface run-off

Although authorities have undertaken large-scale stormwater drain upgrades in recent years, the current crisis shows that gaps remain.

Government’s Response and Preparedness

Chief Ministerial teams are reviewing ground conditions and coordinating relief measures. State authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and have asked local administrations to prioritise clearing fallen trees, restoring drainage, and ensuring uninterrupted emergency services.

Helplines have been activated for rescue requests, medical emergencies, and reporting waterlogging.

Climate Change: A Growing Factor in South India’s Rainfall Extremes

Meteorologists and climate scientists warn that extreme rainfall events in Chennai and coastal Tamil Nadu are becoming more frequent due to changing monsoon patterns and rising sea surface temperatures.

They caution that the region must adapt its infrastructure to withstand unpredictable weather cycles that can unleash high-intensity rains within short durations.

What Is Next for Chennai?

With IMD predicting continued rainfall, residents remain on alert for worsening waterlogging. Authorities say it may take several days for water to recede after the rains stop, depending on outflow capacity and tide levels.

Experts urge immediate clearing of stormwater drains, temporary pumps in flooded zones, and active monitoring of vulnerable residential clusters.

Conclusion: A City Battling Nature and Infrastructure

Chennai finds itself once again grappling with a familiar challenge — a battle between extreme weather and limited infrastructure. As heavy rains batter the city and surrounding districts, residents, authorities and disaster teams race to mitigate the impact, restore normalcy and prevent further loss.

The days ahead will test not just Chennai’s drainage systems but the resilience and preparedness of the entire region. For thousands of families, the priority remains simple: stay safe, stay dry and hope that the worst has passed.