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A 'red alert' for heavy rainfall - issued Wednesday for 20 Tamil Nadu districts, including Chennai - was withdrawn Thursday evening after the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal which had concentrated into a depression (and triggered the alarm) weakened at nightfall.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.
