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Waterlogged roads and overflowing sewers and storm water drains disrupt routine in Chennai every time it rains. This year is no different.
The city witnessed heavy rainfall on October 30 and schools remained closed on October 31 and November 1, apprehending heavy rains.
Waterlogged roads As rains lashed it, the city witnessed traffic snarls and erratic public transport system. Nandhini UN, an IT employee, commutes daily between Perambur and Chengalpattu, where she works. “Normally, it takes two hours one way. Now, it takes four,” she said.
The bridge near the Perambur suburban station gets waterlogged. “So, I have to take the long route to railway station,” she said. “This happens every time it rains but there is nothing being done about it,” Nandhini added.
Sharada Sivalingam stays near Urappakkam in South Chennai and works as a maid in T Nagar. The area was heavily waterlogged and she had to walk over 2 km as share autos were unavailable that morning.
Shivasankari N, another IT professional, reached home around 10.30 pm on Monday as the train that was supposed to reach Chengalpattu station at 6.45 was late by two hours.
Cab problems For Vanchinathan N, a charted accountant, driving on Chennai roads was a challenge as parts of Mylapore were under knee-deep water.
Venkat Raghav, a lawyer, started using public transport to travel to his office in Velachery. “With heavy traffic and waterlogged roads, I do not want to take the risk,” he said. Raghav had to shell out ₹30,000 to repair his car after the December 2015 floods.
As rain pours, hailing a cab becomes difficult too. Even the ones who were lucky enough to get a cab had to pay double the normal fare. Kishore K paid ₹200 for 5 km.
Pavithra M, who was stranded for nearly two hours in Anna Salai, decided to take the public transport home. “I did not get a cab for over two hours. Autorickshaws were asking for over ₹250 for a mere 5 km. So, I decided on public transport,” she said.
#ChennaiRains was trending on Twitter with regular weather updates, traffic information and waterlogging. Rumours about a tornado were doing rounds as well.
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