Chennai, As the northeast monsoon has been vigorous over Tamil Nadu, a red alert was issued for Chennai, which implies a forecast of extremely heavy rainfall for the 24 hours from Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Minister for Public Works and Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Aadhav Arjuna, separately visited the Ripon Building, GCC headquarters, following heavy rainfall across the city and red alert. The weather report further said that Parry’s Corner in Chennai received the highest rainfall of 36 cm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Sunday followed by Kathivakkam near here received 34 cm during the same period. An official release from the Greater Chennai Corporation further added that despite severe weather conditions that dumped over 30 cm of rain in parts of the metropolis, proactive field operations, round-the-clock rescue efforts, and continued coordination ensured that major thoroughfares and subways were cleared of waterlogging with no casualties or major accidents reported.
The red alert means a forecast of extremely heavy rainfall above 20 cm, and the orange alert means a forecast of very heavy rainfall above 11 cm. RMC in its weather bulletin issued at 2.30 pm on Sunday said rainfall occurred in most places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal regions over the last 24 hours. However, heavy rains lashed Chennai and its neighbouring districts of Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, marking the first and heavy spell of the northeast monsoon.
