Cyclone Arnab triggered severe sea conditions in Chennai’s Ennore area, sending seawater into residential neighbourhoods, sweeping away parked vehicles and forcing traffic diversions after waves crossed the coastal road, according to a report by Dinamalar.
The sea turned rough at around 8 pm, as the cyclone was expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours. Large waves rose along the stretch from Bharathiyar Nagar to Thazhankuppam and crossed the protective stone barriers along the shoreline.
The waves reportedly rose more than 10 feet and moved past the Ennore beach road into Bharathiyar Nagar, Netaji Nagar and surrounding areas. Water entered the town as the coastal conditions intensified, affecting streets, roadside businesses and vehicles parked near the road.
Auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers were dragged away by the waves, while roadside shops were also affected. Some people caught in the surge reportedly fell while attempting to move through the water near their vehicles. Several residents abandoned their vehicles and ran to safer locations as the water spread inland.
The sudden intensity of the waves caused panic among residents, with some fearing a disaster similar to a tsunami. The report did not identify any casualties or provide an official assessment of structural damage. It also did not specify how many vehicles or shops were affected.
The incident highlights the exposure of low-lying settlements and transport links along Ennore’s coastline during periods of severe weather. The affected neighbourhoods lie close to the sea, while the coastal road functions as a local movement corridor for residents and businesses. When seawater crosses shoreline barriers and reaches the road network, the disruption extends beyond flooding to include vehicle damage, access problems and risks to people attempting to move through fast-moving water.
The Ennore Expressway was cut off because of the continuing sea surge. Traffic was diverted through Kathivakkam High Road, according to the report. The diversion altered movement along an important northern Chennai connection while the coastal stretch remained affected by the waves.
The weather department had announced that Cyclone Arnab would cross the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours. The report linked the worsening sea conditions in Ennore to the cyclone’s approach but did not provide details of rainfall totals, wind speed, tidal levels, evacuation measures or advisories issued by local authorities.
Further official information on the condition of the affected roads, the extent of flooding, damage to vehicles and shops, and the restoration of traffic on the Ennore Expressway remains pending in the supplied report.
