Chennai: Heavy rain and wind disrupted suburban and MRTS train services in the city from Saturday noon, causing partial cancellations and suspensions. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) provided alternate travel options for stranded commuters.
While suburban train services between Beach and Pallavaram and Vandalur and Chengalpet sections continued to operate, the Tambaram-Chromepet line was severely affected by waterlogging and a cable snap. CMRL services ran without delays, although some elevators were shut off as a safety precaution. Access roads to stations such as Koyambedu were flooded, forcing passengers to use foot overbridges at alternative entrances.
Long-distance train services were severely impacted, with the Basin Bridge section submerged. According to official updates, Yelagiri Express was cancelled, while Raptisagar Express and Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express bypassed Dr MGR Chennai Central via Korukkupet and Perambur. Other trains, such as Lalbagh Express, Mysore Express, and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, were short-terminated at Avadi and Tiruvallur, compelling passengers to travel to these stations or Chennai Beach to board their trains.
With app-based taxis such as Ola and Uber unavailable and auto-rickshaw drivers demanding exorbitant fares commuters were left with little choice. Auto drivers demanded up to 600 for a ride from Central station to Avadi, almost double the usual rates. Bhagyalakshmi, an elderly passenger headed to Coimbatore, said, "I was scared to risk a bus ride or go all the way to Kilambakkam for another option. Auto drivers exploited the situation, but we were left with no other option."
Auto drivers, however, justified their fares, citing the risks in navigating flooded, pothole-ridden roads and the risk of falling trees.