Torrential rains and severe weather conditions have caused chaos and disruption in Chennai and its surrounding areas. The Chennai suburban train service has been brought to a standstill, with heavy rainfall due to the storm Migjam and consequent floodwaters making it impossible to continue operations.
Alongside the suburban trains, 25 long-distance trains from Egmore and Central Railway Station have also been canceled, causing major disruptions for travelers. In addition, the Chennai airport has announced its closure until 9 am today due to heavy rainwater, resulting in numerous canceled flights and travel disruptions for passengers.
Road traffic has also been severely impacted, with the heavy rainfall causing flooding on various roads throughout the city. Numerous areas have been affected, with people stranded and power supply being disconnected in some locations.
The government has issued a warning for people to only leave their homes if absolutely necessary, emphasizing the importance of safety in these extreme weather conditions.
The heavy rains have been attributed to Cyclone Mikjam, which has formed in the Bay of Bengal and has resulted in severe weather across Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, and Thiruvallur districts. The cyclone is expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, adding to the already critical situation in Chennai.
The Chennai Metro train service, however, remains operational from 5 am to 11 pm today, providing some relief for commuters amidst the chaos caused by the severe weather.
At present, the priority for residents in affected areas is to stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel until the situation has improved.