Rains bring severe water-logging in Chennai

The Northeast monsoon has made its presence felt in Chennai as the city witnessed heavy rains since last night, leading to significant water-logging in several areas. Main roads and arterial stretches have been submerged, with knee-deep water reported in various parts of the city, disrupting daily life and traffic flow.

Key stretches such as Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and Taramani Main Road, which are vital for commuters in the IT corridor, were severely affected. Despite ongoing infrastructure improvements, these stretches have once again faced flooding, similar to the December rains last year. Adjoining roads leading to these key areas were also inundated, leaving motorists stranded and causing traffic jams.

Velachery, an area notorious for water-logging during monsoon rains, was no exception this time. A single hour of rainfall left several streets in knee-deep water, making it difficult for residents to navigate. Umesh, a resident of Madipakkam, shared his concerns: “One more day of heavy rain, and we’re afraid of the consequences. The water doesn’t drain out easily, and we’ve been facing this issue for years without a permanent solution.”

Madipakkam, another low-lying area, also saw extensive water-logging on its main roads. “The rain has completely disrupted our routine. It’s frustrating that even after all these years, the roads are still not equipped to handle heavy rains. Traffic was backed up for hours today,” said Ramesh, a software engineer who lives in the area.

Medavakkam, another suburban area that frequently deals with water-logging, also faced similar issues. Residents reported major traffic jams caused by the stagnant water on main roads. “I had to take a longer route to work today, but even then, the roads were flooded. It took me over two hours to cover a distance that usually takes 30 minutes,” lamented Priya, a working professional from Medavakkam.

Residents, particularly those in low-lying areas, are bracing for the potential consequences. Umesh from Madipakkam voiced the fears of many: “If the rain continues, it will be a repeat of last year’s floods. We are worried about our homes being flooded and essential services being disrupted.”

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has stepped up efforts to manage the situation, deploying teams to pump out water from key areas and clear blockages in drains. However, despite these efforts, many residents feel that the measures are insufficient to address the recurring issue of water-logging. “Every year, it’s the same story. We’re promised solutions, but nothing really changes,” said Kumar, a frustrated resident of Velachery.