Four dead in Chennai rains

As many as four people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Chennai as rains persist, with official reports estimating that 37 districts received rainfall while the state average was 14.2 mm over the period of November 7-8. 60 houses have been damaged while the Tamil Nadu Government struggled to drain submerged subways and roads in the city.

"On Sunday 317 water logged areas were reported. From 140 locations, water has receded. In 177 locations it was less than two feet deep," said Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi, via the Times of India. Bedi asked people to not panic but be prepared for heavy rain on November 10, 11, 12 by stocking up on medicines and drinking water.

Rains lightened up considerably on Monday as Bedi said the main parts of the city had only received 15 mm of rain during the day. However many roads and streets remained waterlogged as storm drains proved ineffective in carrying away the water. This was due to blocked drains and poor construction claimed local residents to the media. Chennai city had spent crores on construction of kilometers of storm drainage systems after the 2015 deluge.

India Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for Tuesday (November 9) forecasting thunderstorms with heavy rain in the city and many districts triggered by a low pressure system. For the next 48 hours, thunderstorms with moderate rain, heavy at times have been forecast over some city areas and the suburbs with the skies remaining generally cloudy. Since the start of northeast monsoon last month and till date Tamil Nadu has recorded about 43 per cent rainfall above normal. While the normal is 241.2 mm the state recorded 346.1 mm. In Chennai, as of now 1,107 people have been sheltered in 48 relief camps and in total 3,58,500 food packets have been provided.