Chennai Faces Severe Waterlogging; CM Calls for Immediate Ministerial Return

The city’s drainage systems were overwhelmed as rain accumulated across 17 districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and others. The weather department linked the event to an atmospheric circulation over northern Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. In Tiruvottiyur, water rose up to knee level outside the government maternity hospital, hampering patients and visitors. The Wadiwudi Amman temple complex was also flooded, and a temporary pandal set up for Navaratri collapsed. Traffic on GP Road in Royapettam and near the Gemini flyover in Nungambakkam stalled due to standing water. The Chief Minister’s directive aimed to accelerate response as forecasts anticipate continued heavy rains.