CHENNAI: Heavy rains have battered several areas of Indian State of Tamil Nadu, including the state capital Chennai, throwing normal life out of gear. The death toll in the rain related incidents has risen to 188. Many low lying areas in Chennai have been water logged.
The city's infrastructure has taken a heavy beating, many kutcha houses have caved in. Authorities in Chennai and Kancheepuram have issued a flood alert, asking people to move to a safer area.
Madhya Kailash in Chennai, which happens to be a locality where major IT companies are located, has seen a major road cave in. Roads have been damaged in other parts of the city as well including North Chennai.
Heavy rains, water logging and cave ins have resulted in major traffic jams across Chennai. The rains have exposed the poor quality of roads in Chennai and officials have begun the repair work in some areas.
Holidays have been declared for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Puducherry and Karaikal.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rains in coastal areas of the state till Wednesday. Very heavy rainfall has been predicted for areas in North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The Chennai City Corporation has set up emergency control rooms across the city.