Chennai recorded an average rainfall of 70.25 mm in the 24 hours ending 6 am on Wednesday, inundating several parts of the city and prompting the closure of schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts. The Greater Chennai Corporation received 1,212 complaints related to rain-linked problems by 5 am as civic teams deployed high-capacity pumps to clear stagnant water.
Several southern and central parts of the city recorded substantially higher rainfall. Vadapalani received the highest total at 132.9 mm, followed by Saidapet at 125.2 mm and Alandur at 119.4 mm. Madipakkam recorded 114.6 mm, Maduravoyal 112.5 mm, Valasaravakkam 109.6 mm, Nungambakkam 106.8 mm and Adyar 104.1 mm.
Northern parts of the metropolitan area recorded lower totals. Ennore received 39 mm, Kargil Nagar 30 mm and Tiruvottiyur 22.8 mm during the same period. The uneven distribution of rainfall left several neighbourhoods dealing with waterlogging while other areas recorded comparatively lower accumulation.
The continued inundation renewed questions from residents and civic activists about the effectiveness of stormwater drainage and flood-mitigation works. T. Nagar and the Panagal Park neighbourhood were among the areas cited as continuing to face waterlogging despite substantial expenditure on drainage and other infrastructure projects.
B. Kannan, secretary of the T. Nagar Residents Welfare Association, questioned why the area remained vulnerable despite being among the first locations to receive Smart City works, which involved expenditure of hundreds of crores. He said the flooding showed the need to reassess the effectiveness of the infrastructure already installed.
Civic activist V. Rama Rao of Nanganallur called for the publication of the Thirupugazh Committee report on flood mitigation. Residents and activists also sought a public consultation to assess the impact of completed works, identify gaps and review the city’s preparedness before further rainfall.
GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said the corporation had deployed additional teams and high-capacity pumps to tackle waterlogging. Three 100-horsepower motors were being used to remove stagnant water in AGS Colony, which was identified as a major waterlogging hotspot. The corporation also distributed 6,000 food packets to rain-affected people in Virugambakkam on Wednesday morning.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast further heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Chennai and neighbouring districts. The weather office also indicated that a low-pressure area was likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the Tamil Nadu coast, keeping the region under close watch as civic agencies continue their response.
