WATER LOGGED: A worker helps in pumping out water that covered the tracks near the first and second platforms at Egmore railway station following heavy overnight rain on Tuesday, while (right) a man pushes a two-wheeler along a nearby road in central Chennai. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: The heavy downpour on Tuesday morning — nearly 7 cm from 5 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. — led to severe waterlogging in many parts of the city, especially North Chennai.

The worst affected regions included Pulianthope and Vyasarpadi, where residents had to wade through waist-deep water to get to work. Slum dwellers in Eri Karai, Ambedkar Nagar and Kakanji Nagar were evacuated and provided shelter at a Corporation School in Pulianthope.

Waterlogging along the tracks on the Villivakkam-Chennai Central Railway Station line, slowed down service till afternoon.

A commuter said that it took more than two hours to reach the Central Station from Villivakkam. " Usually, it takes only 25 minutes," he added.

Several office-goers alighted from stranded trains near Vyasarpadi and Basin Bridge and made their way by foot.

Otteri-Nullah canal, one of the city's 16 waterways and the main outlet for rainwater in North Chennai, overflowed from morning.

This prevented the inflow from storm water drains in most parts of Perambur, Basin Bridge, Vyasarpadi, Pulianthope, Ganeshapuram and adjoining areas.

The Ganeshapuram subway was inundated and Corporation officials struggled to pump out the water.

The Perambur subway was in a better condition as the Corporation used a high-powered motor.

Record rains

The Meteorological Department said that Nungambakkam received the highest amount of rainfall, 12 cm, in the 24-hour reading till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Meenambakkam recorded 3 cm. An official said the city has received 99 cm from October 1. The average annual rainfall from October to December is 122 cm. A new record is likely to be set this year.The weather department has forecast intermittent rain, heavy at times, in the city in the next 24 hours.

Vehicles getting stuck on the inundated roads were a common sight at Flowers Road, Landons Road and in Kilpauk and Anna Nagar.

Fire service personnel pumped water out of the subways at Perambur and Vyasarpadi, the EB office at Vepery and the Chennai Collectorate. The police diverted traffic on Taylors Road and Millers Road to help office-goers and school children caught in the downpour. Most schools in Purasawalkam declared a holiday.

Corporation Commissioner M. P. Vijayakumar said all zonal officers and staff were on high alert following the forecast of heavy rain. "We are closely monitoring all 251 low-lying areas identified in our disaster management plan. Lorries are on stand-by to vacate affected persons. Corporation schools have been identified to accommodate those who are likely to be displaced," he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail