Chennai Reopens 22 Subways Following Heavy Rain and Flooding

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, has reopened all 22 subways to vehicular traffic after experiencing exceptional rainfall that caused significant flooding across the city. The Tamil Nadu government reported that over 15,000 workers were deployed overnight to assist in rescue operations and clear rainwater from affected areas. In a statement issued on Sunday, the government noted that water had been cleared from the majority of main bus routes and numerous waterlogged streets.

The rainfall was recorded at various locations throughout the city, with Parry’s Corner documenting the highest precipitation at 36.3 centimetres in just 24 hours. Six locations experienced extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 centimetres, while twelve areas recorded very heavy rainfall of more than 11.5 centimetres. The government described the volume of rain as unprecedented, with figures indicating that some areas received rainfall exceeding 30 centimetres overnight.

To combat the flooding, the city deployed a total of 650 electric motor pumps and tractor-mounted pumps to facilitate the swift removal of water from the streets. In addition, a team from the National Disaster Response Force and four teams from the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force were stationed in flood-prone areas to assist with emergency efforts.

Ongoing inspections were conducted through the night by ministers, legislators, and senior officials to coordinate the city's response. The corporation established nine relief centres to aid residents in low-lying areas affected by the heavy rain, with food provisions arranged for those in need.

Despite the challenges posed by the intense rainfall, the Tamil Nadu government reported that no fatalities or significant damage had occurred and described the situation as under control. By Sunday morning, the city was returning to a state of normalcy, although water remained in certain low-lying pockets and clearance operations continued. Most roads had been cleared for travel, highlighting the resilience and response capabilities of Chennai’s urban drainage and emergency systems in the face of severe weather conditions.