CHENNAI: Heavy rain disrupted daily life across Chennai on Monday morning (November 2), with Parrys recording the highest rainfall of 149.2 mm in 24 hours, as cyclonic storm Murasu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.
According to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 22 kmph over the past six hours and was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 8:30 am on Monday.
The cyclone was located approximately 180 km northeast of Chennai, 160 km east-southeast of Nellore, 180 km east-southeast of Kavali, 210 km southeast of Ongole and 240 km south of Machilipatnam.
The IMD said the severe cyclonic storm is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, to the south of Ongole, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and am on November 3. It is accompanied by sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.
Meanwhile, according to the cumulative rainfall report issued by the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for the 24-hour period ending at 6 AM on November 2:
Very heavy rainfall was recorded at five locations across the city. Parrys registered the highest rainfall at 149.2 mm, followed by New Manali Town at 141.6 mm and Manali at 136.2 mm.
Heavy rainfall was recorded at 28 locations, including Madhavaram, Puzhal, Manali, Ennore, Basin Bridge and parts of Tondiarpet. Moderate rainfall was observed across 25 locations in the southern and western parts of Chennai, including Korattur, Ayapakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Pallikaranai and Sholinganallur.
Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner GS Sameeran inspected water stagnation on Besant Road in Triplicane and reviewed relief and monitoring operations at the ICCC headquarters in Ripon Building. Corporation officials and teams remain on alert to drain waterlogged roads and maintain essential services across affected neighbourhoods.
The impact of Cyclone Murasu was also visible along Chennai's coastline, with rough sea conditions reported at several beaches on Monday morning.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Chennai, and authorities have declared a holiday for schools and colleges in the city today. An orange alert denotes "very heavy" rainfall of 11 to 20 cm.
(With online desk inputs)