Chennai rainfall crossed 363 mm in Parrys over 24 hours, inundating roads and neighbourhoods across the city, disrupting bus routes and slowing traffic after intense Northeast Monsoon showers on October 17. Chennai Corporation recorded average rainfall of more than 105 mm in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on October 18, according to data shared by the civic body’s Integrated Command and Control Centre.
Parrys Corner in George Town recorded the highest rainfall at 363 mm. Very heavy rainfall was also recorded in Tiruvottiyur, Kathivakkam, Ennore, Chennai Central and Meenambakkam. The data showed that 18 locations received heavy rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm, while 17 locations recorded very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm.
The rain left several arterial roads and interior streets waterlogged. Traffic moved slowly on Anna Salai, while G.N. Road, which connects Anna Salai to T. Nagar, was covered by water and several vehicles were stranded as levels rose. Velachery Main Road and streets near the Guru Nanak College signal were also flooded. Traffic congestion worsened in Anna Nagar during the evening rush, with commuters reporting delays of at least 15 minutes on congested stretches.
Flooding was reported in several residential and commercial areas, including Besant Nagar, Madipakkam, Teynampet, Adyar, Raja Annamalaipuram and Valasaravakkam. In Madipakkam, water levels rose in Kuberan Nagar Extension, Govindasamy Nagar, LIC Nagar and Sadasivam Nagar. Besant Nagar Beach and surrounding areas saw ankle-deep water, while heavy stagnation was reported around SIET College, Thiruvalluvar Salai and Seethammal Colony in Teynampet.
The rainfall also affected local infrastructure and public movement in northern Chennai. Roads near Stephenson Road in Perambur, the Ganesapuram railway subway and Vyasarpadi were flooded. Heavy waterlogging was reported near the Tiruvottiyur Thiyagaraya Temple, where a pandal collapsed; no injuries were reported.
The Greater Chennai Corporation responded to complaints from residents by sending officials to clear drainage blockages. Civic workers removed silt and a catchment blockage at Kathipara Service Road. In Zone 6, Division 77, workers cleared water stagnation on Syendams Road near the Haj Committee. Officials also visited Khader Nawaz Khan Road after residents reported problems in the stretch.
The flooding was reported despite recent stormwater drain construction in the area around SIET College. The drains connect the locality to the wider network leading towards Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College in Mylapore, but water stagnation continued in nearby streets after the heavy spell.
The affected locations span Chennai’s central business district, northern industrial and residential areas, southern neighbourhoods and major transport corridors. The immediate civic response remains focused on clearing silt, removing local obstructions and restoring movement on inundated roads as the city continues to experience Northeast Monsoon rainfall.
