Wed Oct 16 00:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Chennai Braces for Heavy Rains as Northeast Monsoon Arrives
**Chennai, Tamil Nadu, October 15, 2024:** Heavy rains lashed Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, causing widespread waterlogging and disrupting traffic and public transport services. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for parts of the state, predicting “isolated extremely heavy rainfall” for the next 24 hours.
The downpours, attributed to the onset of the northeast monsoon, led to knee-deep water on roads and in residential areas, prompting the state government to declare a holiday for schools, colleges and government offices in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengelpet on Wednesday. Private establishments were encouraged to allow employees to work from home until Friday.
Chennai witnessed significant disruptions, with bus services affected in several areas, four train routes cancelled due to waterlogging, and eight domestic flights cancelled due to low passenger turnout. The Chennai Corporation established a helpline number (1913) to address public concerns.
State relief commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni reported that some parts of Chennai received up to 16 cm of rainfall. He emphasized that the state was fully prepared for any eventuality, with 26 teams of NDRF and SDRF deployed in five coastal districts, along with boats and 1,231 relief centers.
Despite the challenges, local train operations, including Metro Rail, remained largely unaffected until the evening. However, residents of flood-prone areas, like Ram Nagar in Madipakkam, took precautionary measures, parking their vehicles in higher ground and moving to hotels.
The Greater Chennai Corporation was actively engaged in pumping out water into stormwater drains and clearing fallen trees. Civic authorities have also deployed heavy-duty motors and stationed boats in vulnerable areas.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, accompanied by state ministers, inspected the ongoing efforts to drain rainwater in flood-prone areas, expressing his appreciation for the work of sanitary/civic workers and officials. He pledged his support to the frontline workers battling the heavy rains.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected several localities and the integrated command and control center of Chennai Corporation to assess the situation and review the ongoing work.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) reported that the low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a well-marked low pressure area on Tuesday, which is likely to develop into a depression. The RMC issued a warning for squally weather with strong winds in north coastal Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, advising fishermen to stay ashore.
The southwest monsoon withdrew from the entire country on Tuesday, marking the commencement of the northeast monsoon season over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka and Kerala.
First Piper 