CHENNAI: Chennai experienced intermittent rain spells since Wednesday night, which went well into Thursday, leading to water stagnation and traffic snarls in many parts of the city. According to weather bloggers, areas in north and northwest Chennai including Manali, Madhavaram, Tiruvottiyur, and Ambattur received the bulk of rainfall.
As rainfall continued throughout the day with intermittent breaks, residents reported water stagnation on CTH Road near Korattur and Padi junction. “At the Tamil Nadu Housing Board Colony in wards 84 and 87, water mixed with sewage stagnates even after light rain.
During recent rains, boats were used to rescue residents in North Avenue. The local drains are set higher than the main canal, causing persistent issues,” said S Sekar, a resident. A post on X by another resident, noted that complaints regarding CTH Road’s water stagnation were given to the highways department, but no action was taken.
Residents also reported waterlogging in various parts of Ambattur. “Near the Ambattur bus stand, water usually drains within a few hours, but since it also rained during the day time, commuters struggled,” said Ramalingam, a resident of Ambattur. In Manali, water was stagnant in areas like Kamarajar Nagar where the roads were filled with potholes as the patch work after the metro rail work was not done properly. This also led to traffic snarls, said residents.
From 8.30 pm to 5.30 pm on Thursday, Villivakkam in Tiruvallur recorded 6.6cm of rain, 3.8cm at ACS Medical College in Kancheepuram, 3.4cm at Poonamallee, and 3.4cm at Puzhal. During the same period, Nungambakkam received 1.3cm and YMCA Nandanam 1.2cm.
Minor rain-related disruptions were reported in other areas, including Adyar, Saidapet, Meenambakkam, Madipakkam and RA Puram. Tree branches falling on roads were reported in places including Badri Road in Teynampet, H Block 4th Street in Anna Nagar and Jawahar Nagar in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, affecting the traffic briefly. Chennai Corporation sprung into action immediately and cleared these areas.
The rains are attributed to strengthening easterlies and a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal. Independent weather blogger Srikanth K told TNIE that light to moderate rains are expected in the city on November 8 and 9. “After Sunday, fairly widespread rains are expected to continue until the middle of next week,” he added.