Deep depression floods Chennai, forcing Tuesday school closures.
Chennai and nearby districts saw 3–4 cm of heavy rainfall, causing disruptions and soaking streets everywhere.
CHENNAI: Chennai and its surrounding districts have been grappling with incessant rainfall since Sunday night as the remnants of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, now weakened into a deep depression, moved closer to the coast. The heavy downpours have disrupted daily life, prompting district authorities to declare a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday in four districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, issued an advisory on Monday afternoon predicting that heavy to very heavy rainfall would continue at a few places in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts through the day. Isolated areas in Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Ranipet districts could also witness heavy rainfall. Light to moderate rains were forecasted for other parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Tuesday, ensuring that the wet spell would persist across the region.
According to updates from the RMC, the deep depression, which is the remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, moved northwards at a sluggish pace of 3 km per hour. As of 11:30 a.m. on Monday, the depression was centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, approximately 50 km east-southeast of Chennai, 140 km northeast of Puducherry, and 160 km northeast of Cuddalore. The minimum distance from the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts was recorded at around 35 km, indicating that the system was dangerously close to shore, keeping the region on high alert.
The heavy rainfall brought by the depression caused widespread disruption in daily life. While authorities quickly moved to ensure public safety, students and parents who had to commute in areas where no holidays were declared experienced considerable inconvenience. In several parts of Chennai, particularly the northern and central neighborhoods, streets turned slippery, traffic slowed down, and public transport struggled to keep pace with the downpour. The early-morning rush was marked by anxious parents and weary children trying to navigate waterlogged streets and overflowing drains.
Despite the heavy rains, the Greater Chennai Corporation reported that most parts of the city remained free from major inundation. Low levels of water stagnation were observed in areas such as Manali, Tondiarpet, and Adyar. To address this, the civic body deployed pumps to drain water from these low-lying areas. Teams of municipal workers worked round the clock, ensuring that the accumulation did not escalate into serious flooding. Residents expressed relief that the authorities had responded quickly, though many noted that the constant rains were testing their patience and resilience.
In neighborhoods affected by water stagnation, the rains created temporary disruptions in daily routines. Streets were partially submerged, causing vehicles to slow down, and pedestrians were forced to navigate puddles that sometimes reached knee height. Shops and local businesses reported a slower start to the day as footfall decreased due to the wet conditions. Despite these challenges, citizens commended the civic workers for their swift response, particularly in pumping out water from critical junctions and clearing drains to prevent further accumulation.
The government’s precautionary measures, including the declaration of holidays in schools and colleges, were aimed at minimizing the risk to students and ensuring that young learners were not exposed to the hazards of slippery roads, traffic congestion, and waterlogging. Parents expressed gratitude for the timely decision, noting that it prevented potential accidents and made commuting safer for children.
The RMC has advised the public to remain vigilant over the next few days, as the deep depression continues to hover over the Bay of Bengal and adjacent coastal areas. Fishermen have been urged not to venture into the sea, and local authorities are closely monitoring river levels, drainage systems, and coastal areas prone to flooding. Emergency response teams have been kept on high alert, ready to act in case of sudden inundation or other rain-related emergencies.
Meteorologists have pointed out that while the storm has weakened, its residual moisture continues to feed into the monsoon-like conditions in Tamil Nadu, making intermittent heavy showers likely over the coming days. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, keep emergency numbers handy, and stay informed about updates from the RMC and local authorities.
As Chennai and nearby districts brace for another day of continuous rainfall, the focus remains on safety, preparedness, and community support. The combination of quick civic action, timely government advisories, and public awareness has so far helped prevent major damage, though residents are urged to remain cautious until the deep depression moves away from the coast and conditions gradually stabilize.