LIFE AMID RECORD RAIN: On flooded Erukkencherri High Road in north Chennai, people wade through knee-deep water, as movement of public transport thinned down and (right) Chennai's commercial hub, Parrys Corner, lies under a sheet of water on Thursday . — Photos: S.R. Raghunathan and K. Pichumani

Chennai: After praying for rain for the past two years, Chennai residents woke up to a problem of plenty on Thursday.

The record spell of rain on Thursday literally drowned the city, submerging several residential and commercial areas, and led to two casualties.

Sugan Thomas (38), a resident of Harrington Road, Chetput, tried to switch off the mains at his home around 8 a.m. In a suspected leak, he was electrocuted. He died on the spot.

In another accident, M. Vaman Kumar (23), a resident of Kodambakkam, was returning home in a two-wheeler with his friend Vanitha. Around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, while passing through Venkatnarayana Road, T. Nagar, Kumar's vehicle skidded and he fell off it. He tried to balance himself by holding a nearby electrical pole. He was electrocuted and killed instantly.

Cut off

Several low-lying areas in North Chennai were cut off from rest of the city as rainwater submerged the approach roads and subways. Most of the shops, even in high commercial zones such as Parrys' Corner and Anna Salai, remained shut.

Pulianthope and Vyasarpadi were the worst hit as heavily waterlogged roads ruled out all road transport. By the evening, officials engaged in relief work were able to cross the roads there only in catamarans.

Erukencherry High Road, another important link to North Chennai, was under hip-deep water. By the afternoon, scores of residents were seen walking along the central median, even as a few vehicles struggled to make their way past the stretch.

Rainwater entered thousands of households, especially those in low-lying areas and close to the storm water canals. Water from the Virugambakkam canal entered western parts of Choolaimedu. A section of IIT-Madras's compound wall in Taramani gave way and rain water flowing out from there flooded the slum board colony of Thantai Periyar Nagar.

In Vyasarpadi, water entered residential colonies close to Captain Cotton Canal. "Most of the relief work seems to be directed at slum dwellers. Water has entered almost all houses from 10th Cross Street to 19th Cross in MKB Nagar," said Lalitha Mohanan, a resident of MKB Nagar.

Relief work

The Chennai Corporation has set up 25 relief camps across in the city to provide shelter and food to those displaced by the rains. Apart from this, 120 Corporation schools have been converted into temporary relief camps. More than three lakh food packets were distributed, the Corporation said in a statement.

The day began early for most Corporation officials. The civic agency had decided that moving people out of low-lying areas was its top priority. Commissioner M.P. Vijayakumar, who was available at the Ripon Buildings since 5.30 a.m., said the rains were too heavy and continuous to engage in any attempts to drain water. Senior Corporation and police officials used mechanised boats to ferry stranded people at Pulianthope till late into the night.

The Corporation has appealed to non-governmental organisations and welfare associations for help in relief works. Those interested in coordinating relief works can contact the civic agency in its 24-hour-helplines: 2538 3783, 2538 4670, 2538 1330 and 2538 4231.

Four rescued

The Fire and Rescue Services personnel on Thursday rescued four persons, who were trapped in a hut under a collapsed wall, in Choolaipallam in MGR Nagar.

According to authorities, a team rushed to the spot and saved them after receiving a call from locals around 6.30 a.m. on Thursday.

The rescued persons sustained minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Six cars were damaged when a compound wall in an apartment on the East Coast Road collapsed.

With power supply cut off in most parts of the city, the radio was the best source for news. The All India Radio ran regular broadcasts on weather and interviews with officials, along with help lines, which came in handy for residents.

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