IANS
Chennai, Nov 3: Normal life was crippled in Chennai and its suburbs Friday as rains pounded the city for several hours from Thursday evening. The city received 30 cm of rain in eight hours flooding several localities.
Chennai residents heaved a sigh of relief Friday morning as the clouds gave way to sun. But the weather department predicted more rains in the next 24 hours, triggering fears of a repeat of the December 2015 Chennai floods.
The number of rain deaths has risen to 14 in Tamil Nadu, official sources said. The torrential rains Thursday flooded Mudichur, Velachery, Alandur, Pallikaranai, Korattur and parts of North Chennai. Residents in these localities and elsewhere complained that rainwater mixed with sewage was entering their homes.
The government shut schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Pudukottai and Nagapattiman districts Friday. Private sector organisations were urged to declare holiday or allow people to work from home.
Residents in West Mambalam, Santhome, Mylapore and Vysarpadi complained of clogged sewers. However, water receded Friday morning in parts of Chennai.