Chennai woke up to a waterlogged reality on Thursday as Cyclone Mocha intensified its fury over the Bay of Bengal, dumping massive rainfall across Tamil Nadu's capital and neighboring districts. The city experienced one of its heaviest pre-monsoon showers this season, bringing normal life to a grinding halt.
City Grinds to a Standstill
Major areas including Anna Nagar, T Nagar, and Adyar reported severe waterlogging, with several roads transformed into virtual rivers. Office-goers faced nightmarish commutes as traffic snarls stretched for kilometers during the morning rush hour. The Chennai Corporation has deployed emergency teams across all zones to clear water stagnation and fallen trees.
Official Response and Precautions
The Tamil Nadu government has announced precautionary measures including:
- Holiday for all schools and colleges in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts
- Fishermen advised not to venture into sea for next 48 hours
- Emergency control rooms established in all coastal districts
- NDRF teams put on high alert for rescue operations
Weather Department's Warning
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for several districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. "The cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast by evening," said IMD Regional Director S. Balachandran.
Impact on Daily Life
Local markets saw sparse attendance as residents preferred to stay indoors. Several IT companies in the OMR corridor allowed work-from-home options for employees. The Chennai Airport authorities have issued advisories to passengers to check flight status before heading to the terminal.
As Chennai battles the nature's fury, the city hopes for the cyclone to weaken soon and bring much-needed relief from the torrential downpour.
