What Chennai Rain Live Updates: Schools, colleges to remain shut in Chennai, Kancheepuram for 2 days, says Stalin

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted thunderstorms with moderate intensity rain over some parts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, during the next three hours. Chennai experienced heavy rain overnight due to the conditions as a prelude to the forming of a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal. At least, 81 people have been evacuated and sheltered at Corporation run public shelters today until 2pm. Traffic was diverted in many areas due to waterlogging. Five trains to MGR Chennai Central are delayed due to waterlogging. Incoming trains are being run at 10kmph due to flooding. Water is being pumped out from tracks at affected areas on Arakkonam-Chennai route. Four trains coming to Egmore station are running late due to waterlogging. CM MK Stalin inspected rain-affected areas in Chennai on Sunday. Stay with TOI for all the latest updates

Heavy rain in Chennai and nearby areas has prompted authorities to take emergency steps, including an order to schools in four districts to stay shut for the next two days. National Disaster Response Force has been called in to assist in rescue work.

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Schools and colleges in Chennai and three other districts have been ordered to stay shut for the next two days as heavy rain hammers several parts of north coastal Tamil Nadu.

Chennai received a downpour through the night, recording 21 cm of rainfall till 8.30 am this morning. Several low-lying areas of the city were flooded.

The weather department has predicted that isolated places in north coastal Tamil Nadu will receive heavy to very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall throughout Sunday due to the influence of a cyclonic circulation in Bay of Bengal. The department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall tomorrow. It has also warned of another spell of rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday.

With the lakes around Chennai swelling, water is being released from the Chembarambakkam lake. The 85.4 feet-high lake now has water till 82.35 feet. In 2015, Chennai was flooded due to sudden excessive discharge from Chembarambakkam lake amid heavy rainfall.

Officials said this regular discharge of water will not lead to flooding but if there is excess rain, areas around Muduchur may get inundated.

A flood alert has been issued in Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts on the banks of River Adyar. Schools have been ordered to stay shut in Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram districts.

Chief Minister M K Stalin has discussed preparedness with district collectors and visited 14 waterlogged areas, including Egmore, Padi bridge, Padi Bridge and Jawahar Nagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he has spoken to Chief Minister Stalin and assured him all support from the centre in rescue and relief work.

Following a request from the state government, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four teams to assist in rescue operations.

The heavy rain has hit road and rail services. Though a few flights were delayed, there was no major disruption in air services, news agency PTI reported.

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