Raising fears of a repeat of the 2015 rain havoc, rain lashed Chennai and its suburbs from Thursday evening to Friday morning, affecting the life of most of the people. However, the day became sunny with only light drizzle occuring at many parts of the city by Friday noon. India Meteorological Department (IMD) says more rain is likely later in the day. It has forecast heavy to very heavy showers in north coastal Tamil Nadu till tomorrow.
On Thursday, bright sunshine in many parts of the city in the morning gave way to dark clouds by afternoon. Rains, which started in the evening, intensified at night, leaving roads flooded and bringing traffic to a standstill in many areas.
Here are the updates
7.30 p.m.: Air carrier Jet Airways waived off penalty charges to passengers who prefer to change flights or cancel trips due to torrential rains that has been witnessing in Chennai and neighbourhood.
“In view of the prevailing inclement weather in Chennai, Jet Airways has extended a waiver of penalty for date/flight change, refund and fare difference to all guests holding confirmed tickets”, a Jet Airways release said. - PTI
7.15 p.m.: Chief Minister K. Palaniswami visited various parts of the city and its suburbs, hit by water-logging, insisting that his government was working on a "war-footing". Accompanied by his deputy O. Panneerslevam and senior officials, the chief minister visited RK Nagar and Perungalathur on the city outskirts.
Tamil Nadu ministers accompanied by designated officials have fanned out to various affected areas and are overseeing the relief activity, Mr. Palaniswami said. - PTI
6:30 p.m.: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
“We fear a disease outbreak,” residents say.
11:15 a.m.: Thursday's low pressure area remains over south west Bay of Bengal off Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coast, according to a bulletin from the IMD.
"Rainfall activity will continue over north coastal Tamil Nadu with heavy to very heavy rain over Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts during the next 24 hours," S. Balachandran, Director, IMD, Chennai, said.
10:45 a.m.: Are you travelling in and out of the city? Here's what you need to know
- No major disruption in train services:
Except for minor delays, there is no major disruption in suburban train services in the city. The section between Kodambakkam and St. Thomas Mount was affected by signal problems from 9.30 p.m. on Thursday. The problem was set right and the section restored at 3.20 a.m. on Friday. Due to heavy rain, the Tambaram and Egmore yards flooded.
Flight services
All flight services normal
10:15 a.m.: power to be restored by noon
Electricity has been cut in 70 localities across the city that have been identified as “low-lying areas”
9:45 a.m.: arterial subway flooded
City Corporation Commissioner D. Karthikeyan visits the flooded Gengu Reddy subway. He says inflow of water is heavy even as corporation staff pump out water.
Gengu Reddy subway was heavily flooded on Friday. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
9:30 a.m.: waterlogging in many parts of the city
Waterlogging has been reported in areas like LB Road, Taramani Link Road and Velachery.
Residents in few streets of Madipakkam woke up to see knee-deep water on the streets. There's no supply of bubble top water cans, newspapers, milk and vegetables.
8:15 a.m.:
Just in: Anna University postpones exams.
The exams that were to be conducted today at Ambedkar Law University have also been cancelled.
The date of the exams would be announced later, a varsity press release said.
A girl with her brothers having a tough time trying to cross the flooded Wall Tax Road on Friday. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
8:00 a.m.:
If you're out on the road now, you can expect a light drizzle in many parts of the city.
7:30 a.m.:
It's yet another gloomy and downcast morning in Chennai as more rain is expected to lash the city.
The Collectors of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts have declared a holiday for schools and colleges.
****
01:40 a.m.
How safe is the city? This risk map will tell you. https://riskmap.in/map/chennai
01:00 a.m.
Chennai city has recorded 15 cm rain since Thursday evening. The city has received around 49 cm rain since November 1, according to the IMD.
00:50 a.m.
The State government has appointed IAS officers to monitor rescue and rehabilitation efforts for each of the 15 zones in the Greater Chennai Corporation. Click here to read the details
00:40 a.m.
CM assigns Ministers for coordination
On a day when torrential rains lashed the city, throwing normal life completely out of gear, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami assigned Ministers and officials of zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation and Kancheepuram districts to coordinate relief operations.
At a review meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday, the Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure relief operations and preparatory efforts efficiently on a war footing. In addition to IAS officers, the 15 zones of the Corporation will be supervised by Ministers.
00:30 a.m.
Low pressure over Sri Lanka
A low pressure area has formed over Sri Lanka and adjoining south west Bay of Bengal, according to the IMD. It would bring moderate rain over most places in southern Tamil Nadu and a few places in the northern coastal districts, S. Balachandran said on Thursday.