Incessant rain pounded several Tamil Nadu districts overnight, and continued throughout the day on Thursday, leading to widespread flooding and waterlogging across the southern state.
A 'red alert' for heavy rainfall - issued Wednesday for 20 Tamil Nadu districts, including Chennai - was withdrawn Thursday evening after the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal which had concentrated into a depression (and triggered the alarm) weakened at nightfall.
Chennai airport also resumed normal operations after suspending arrivals between 1.15 pm and 6 pm on Thursday over fears of crosswinds.
Schools and colleges were closed in Chennai and other districts for a fourth straight day, and several areas in the capital remained waterlogged for a fifth straight day. Ever since Sunday, a deluge of videos have surfaced on social media showing cars and two-wheelers partially submerged and people wading through knee-deep water in many places.
Northern parts of the state, including Chennai and nearby Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Villupuram, were among the worst affected by the rainfall -- which is the heaviest in the state since the 2015 floods. At least 14 people have died in rain-related incidents this past week, a senior official told news agency ANI.
Andhra Pradesh is now prepping for heavy rains, with a wary eye on another low-pressure area likely to hit next week.
Here are Highlights on Tamil Nadu Rain:
A 'red alert' for heavy rainfall - issued for eight Tamil Nadu districts, including Chennai - was withdrawn after the depression that triggered the alarm, and led to widespread flooding in the city and across the state, weakened at nightfall.
As Chennai tackles waterlogging due to heavy rain over the past few days, a woman police inspector has set an example by leading rescue work from the front.
Chennai airport has suspended all flights arriving between 1.15 and 6 pm in view of severe rains and heavy crosswinds, while departures will continue as scheduled.
