Nightlong rains sink Chennai suburbs

Residential localities in most of the suburbs of Chennai, falling in the limits of three neighbouring districts of Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, were inundated. Many arterial stretches that connect these districts with Chennai were flooded and traffic was severely affected.

Mudichur, Sembakkam, Chengalpattu and Guduvanchery turned into ghost towns as public started leaving for safer places or relative’s houses as water entered homes. Evacuation of residents was carried out in full swing by the Special Task Force and Fire and Rescue Services personnel. In areas like Tambaram, Pallavaram, Ambattur, Avadi, Maangadu and Pallikaranai where personnel did not turn up, residents were forced to wade through waist-deep water. On Saturday morning, the rescue team evacuated residents in rubber boats from apartments in and around Tambaram. Locals in Chengalpattu said there was heavy and unprecedented flow on streets in their areas and several vehicles were washed away.

Guduvanchery was the worst-hit due to the continuous rains. The residents of Medavakkam and Pallikaranai also suffered water logging since Friday night. The situation was nightmarish as most lakes in the region were overflowing. “There is no relief or help from the State. Adding to the scare, snakes and insects started straying into houses,” said Karthikeyan from Pallikaranai. The premises of the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine in Sanatorium on GST Road was under several sheets of water. Sewer overflow and water logging were common complaints in Avadi housing board, Ambattur industrial estate, Pallavaram, Sembakkam and Anagaputhur areas. “Though the area is waterlogged not even one zonal official visited the place,” said Manoj Kumar, a resident of Ambattur. Special officer for rain relief works P Amudha also inspected the rain hit areas in Chengalpattu and Tambaram areas.