Heavy rains throw life out of gear in Chennai

After some days of respite, fresh downpour on Tuesday crippled life here, flooding numerous roads and neighbourhoods and causing traffic jams and power cuts, residents said.

Trains were delayed and some were cancelled as authorities struggled to cope with the aftereffects of the fresh torrential rains in the Tamil Nadu capital.

The weather department has warned of heavy rains in Chennai and northern Tamil Nadu over the next three days. The government has declared a holiday for schools in Chennai and neighbouring Kanchipuram district.

A flood alert has been issued along the banks of Adyar river here.

During the last spell of rains, around 180 people lost their lives in the four districts of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore and Thiruvallur.

Big sink holes on several roads in Chennai forced the authorities to divert the vehicular flow.

Water logging on the suburban railway tracks forced the authorities to cancel some services while many trains ran behind schedule.

Southern Railways cancelled 12 trains and diverted 15 more.

According to reports, three lakes in Kanchipuram district were breached due to heavy rains and inflows. - IANS