Chennai Hit By Heavy Rainfall Overnight, Eight Flights Delayed

Many flights from Germany, Delhi and Kolkata were unable to land in Chennai and were diverted to Bengaluru.

The IMD predicted isolated rainfall across Tamil Nadu for three hours from 10 AM on Thursday.

Chennai and suburbs reported widespread overnight rainfall on Wednesday. Parts of Chennai including Alandur, Annasalai, Tambaram, Ayanavaram and Pattinapakkam received heavy rainfall throughout the night. The India Meteorological Department said that the rainfall was due to cyclonic circulation over north Tamil Nadu and will likely continue at isolated places across Tamil Nadu. 

On Thursday, IMD said, "Light rain likely in isolated places over Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Chennai districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry." 

Heavy Rainfall Warning- update for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram & Thiruvallur districts. pic.twitter.com/DNj7UiIK1D

— Tamilnadu Weather-IMD (@ChennaiRmc) August 23, 2023

The prediction was for three hours from 10 AM on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the inundation caused by the heavy rainfall hindered traffic flow in Tambaram subway. Till now, eight flights have been delayed due to the rains. Many flights from Germany, Delhi and Kolkata were unable to land in Chennai and were diverted to Bangalore due to heavy rain in Chennai since midnight, reported OneIndia Tamil. 

Till 2:30 AM on Thursday, IMD said that the highest rainfall of 10 cm was received at Tiruttani while the lowest amount of rainfall of 1 cm was received at Kodambakkam in Chennai. The rainfall received at Chennai Menabakkam weather station was 46 mm.  

Independent weather blogger who runs Chennai rains (COMK) said, "After fairly widespread overnight #Rains over #Chennai and suburbs there is a slight chance mid-level wind instabilities could bring late night/midnight #Thunderstorms once again today over parts of N. #TamilNadu. Rest of the state may see less rain today. #COMK #ChennaiRains."

However, independent weather bloggers said that there was an error in PAC.

This PAC is also not right. IMD's observatories at AP and Nungambakkam has recorded 58 and 46 mm respectively while the radar estimated PAC shows no place getting higher than 21.2 mm as per the legend. IMD AWS at places like Tambaram has recorded nearly 12 cms while the TNSDMA… https://t.co/waq5mUR38n pic.twitter.com/Nj3ytPzep4

— Chennai Rains (COMK) (@ChennaiRains) August 24, 2023