Heavy rain in Chennai and surrounding districts has filled reservoirs to their maximum levels, prompting authorities to issue a flood alert.
The Water Resources Department (WRD) has released 1,000 cucuses of water from the Poondi reservoir into the Kosasthalaiyar River as a precaution.
On Thursday morning, Poondi reservoir’s water level stood at 34.05 feet, just one foot shy of its full capacity. Additionally, 13,000 cusecs of water were released from Sathanur dam in Tiruvannamalai, and 3,500 cusecs from Chembarambakkam dam.
Overnight downpours inundated Chennai and nearby districts, including Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram, causing schools in nine districts to declare a holiday. Chennai’s Nerkundram and Meenambakkam have recorded 10 and 8 cms rainfall, respectively.
Subways in Chennai were temporarily shut due to flooding, and efforts to clear waterlogged areas are underway.
The rain has been attributed to a well-marked low-pressure area over the Southwest and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal. Interior districts of central Tamil Nadu also reported heavy rainfall.
The regional weather department forecast continued rain in Chennai and eight other districts, urging residents to take necessary precautions.