Heavy rainfall pounded Tamil Nadu’s Chennai as the northeast monsoon intensified, triggered severe waterlogging and traffic congestion in several parts of the city.
Videos shared by news agencies ANI and PTI display heavy rains and flooding in the city and residential areas. Chennai locals also shared videos on X expressing agitation over the weather. The northeast monsoon (often called the winter or retreating monsoon) is a seasonal wind and rainfall pattern that occurs from October to December in the South Asian peninsula. The seasonal rain is particularly significant for Tamil Nadu, which depends heavily on the northeast monsoon for its annual rainfall. Flooded roads may lead to prolonged traffic congestions, particularly in low-lying areas.
North Chennai bore the initial strain of the showers, recording between 6 cm and 10 cm of rainfall in less than an hour. The heavy rainfall follows the onset of the northeast monsoon over Tamil Nadu, which started on October 17, according to IMD. The IMD has issued a yellow alert until 23 October, with very heavy rain lasting until 21 October, across the state. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.
