Chennai faces heavy downpour, receives 4.6 cm of rain in 24 hours

CHENNAI: Heavy rains lashed across the city, which recorded 4.6 cm of rain in the last 24 hours from 6 am on Oct 14 to 6 am on Oct 15.

According to the Greater Chennai Corporation's Integrated Command and Control Centre, Vadapalani received the highest rainfall of 6.2 cm, followed by Nungambakkam with 6.1 cm and Meenambakkam with 5.8 cm. The Ice House area also received 5.3 cm, and Velachery received 5.5 cm.

As several areas reported moderate water stagnation across the city, the GCC ran 17 motors to remove floodwaters in low-lying areas, particularly Pulianthope and parts of Vyasarpadi. The GCC also operated its submersible pumps inside stormwater drains in Mylapore to ensure water flowed.

In Chengalpet district, which received 4 cm in the same period, Mahabalipuram received the highest of 6.3 cm followed by 4.2cm in Thiruporur and 3cm in Tambaram.

To take stock of the flood mitigation operations, Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin carried out a midnight inspection of flood-prone areas, including Pallikaranai, Sunnambu Kolathur, Narayapuram, Mylapore, and Chepauk.

At about 12.15 am on Tuesday, Udhayanidhi inspected the low-lying areas along the Pallikaranai Lake. He then inspected the connecting canal from Keelkattalai Lake to Narayanapuram Lake in Dr Ambedkar Salai, after which he visited his Chepauk constituency, Royapettah, and Mylapore.

“We examined the banks of the Narayanapuram Lake and how it was strengthened, and inquired from the officials about how rainwater reaches the lake, and how the desilting work progressed,” said Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin. He met the public in the area and gathered their demands and opinions.