Chennai Rains: Heavy Overnight Downpour Causes Waterlogging and Road Damage Across the City

Heavy overnight rainfall on Tuesday caused widespread waterlogging, damaged roads and uprooted trees across Chennai, disrupting morning traffic. Several waterlogged streets were cleared only by 11 AM, while some interior roads continued to face drainage problems.

Waterlogging in Velachery, T Nagar and Kodambakkam

AGS Colony, 3rd Main Road and interior streets in Velachery experienced prolonged water stagnation. Waterlogging was also reported on Bazullah Road in T Nagar, Taramani–Velachery Road, OMR, Aziz Nagar, Subramania Nagar and School Road near Valluvar Kottam.

Uprooted trees were reported on Police Quarters Road in T Nagar, 11th Street in TNHB Colony, Korattur, and several streets in Kodambakkam. The fallen trees were subsequently removed.

Residents Demand Permanent Flood Mitigation Measures

Residents of Subramania Nagar said rainwater flowing from Railway Border Road through Valliammal Garden Main Road collects on Second Street before draining through a railway culvert. A 25 HP dewatering motor pumps out the accumulated water, but residents say the existing drainage capacity is insufficient after heavy rainfall.

The Subramania Nagar Civic and Neighbourhood Welfare Association has urged officials to improve flood management and deploy pumps proactively.

In AGS Colony, residents said Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) officials had inspected flood-affected areas and directed the deployment of additional tractor-mounted motor pumps and round-the-clock monitoring. The residents also called for an expert study by IIT Madras and Anna University to identify the causes of recurring flooding and develop a permanent solution.

Damaged Roads and Bus Service Disruptions

Roadwork delays have added to residents` difficulties in other parts of Chennai. In Secretariat Colony, sewage pipeline work on Sakthi Srinivasan Road has reportedly continued for six months, leaving the road muddy and filled with potholes. According to the residents` association, MTC bus services on several routes have been suspended because buses cannot navigate the damaged road.

In Old Washermenpet, civic activists have also raised concerns about incomplete road restoration following Metro Water pipeline work. Streets including Ekambaram Street and Ramanujam Koodam Street in Ward 48 remain damaged, according to residents.

The recurring waterlogging, damaged roads and delayed infrastructure works have renewed calls for improved stormwater drainage, timely road restoration and long-term flood prevention measures across Chennai.