Diwali Deluge: Heavy Rain Lashes Chennai, Floods Roads and Airport Runways — 120+ Flights Delayed Amid Chaos
Heavy rain lashed Chennai on Diwali, flooding major roads and waterlogging airport runways
Chennai residents were welcomed by heavy rain on Monday morning as they began their Diwali celebrations. Two days of continous downpur has triggering waterlogging across the city and is causing massive travel disruptions.
Visuals circulating on social media show waterlogged streets and inundated runways at Chennai airport. Among the areas badly hit were – Velachery, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, and Neelankarai along the East Coast Road (ECR).
The intense downpour led to waterlogging on key roads, slowing traffic movement and disrupting normal life.
In low-lying neighbourhoods, residents reported flooded streets and overflowing drains, while commuters struggled with knee-deep water in several parts of south Chennai. Authorities have urged caution as intermittent showers are expected to continue through the day.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) latest forecast, moderate rain with thunderstorms is likely to occur in the next few hours over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, Karaikal, and adjoining districts. The department also predicted continued rainfall across coastal Tamil Nadu through October 22.
In the hilly Nilgiris region, train services on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) were cancelled after multiple landslides blocked tracks between Kallar and Coonoor. The Southern Railway said “earth slips” and fallen trees had disrupted movement on the route. Services of three trains – including Mettupalayam–Udagamandalam (Train No. 56136 and 06171) and Udagamandalam–Mettupalayam (Train No. 56137) – were suspended on October 19.
Heavy showers pounded several coastal and delta districts, including Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Villupuram, since Sunday.
Despite the downpour, visuals from Thoothukudi showed local markets continuing operations. However, the District Administration in Thoothukudi declared a holiday for schools due to heavy rain and flooding.
In Cuddalore district, officials from the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare have warned all fishermen against venturing into the sea. Mechanised boats, catamarans, and other vessels have been instructed to remain docked until further notice.
Chief minister MK Stalin reviewed the rain situation on Sunday and directed officials to move people in low-lying and coastal regions to safer locations.
“The affected areas have not faced any major damages so far. As per IMD’s forecast, heavy rainfall is expected on October 21 and 22. Precautionary measures have been taken, and relief camps are ready if required. Most harvested paddy has already been safely stored,” he told news agency ANI.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has also ramped up flood-preparedness efforts, increasing the number of relief centres from 116 to 215 across the city.
Earlier, IMD announced that a low-pressure area is forming over the southeast Bay of Bengal and is likely to move west-northwestward, gradually intensifying into a deep depression. The system is expected to bring widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu’s coastal belt in the coming days.
Diwali celebrations in Chennai turned chaotic on Sunday as heavy rain lashed the city, leading to severe waterlogging across major roads, residential areas, and airport runways. The downpour, which began in the early hours, intensified through the evening, disrupting festive activities and bringing traffic and air travel to a standstill.
While residents prepared to light lamps and burst crackers, relentless rain drenched several parts of Chennai, including T Nagar, Velachery, Saidapet, Guindy, and Adyar, causing knee-deep water in many low-lying areas. Videos shared on social media showed cars partially submerged, two-wheelers stranded, and people wading through flooded streets as the city’s drainage system struggled to cope with the sudden deluge.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, recorded over 110 mm of rainfall in just six hours, marking one of the wettest Diwali evenings in recent years. Officials attributed the heavy downpour to a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, which has been causing widespread rain across Tamil Nadu.
The Chennai International Airport faced massive disruptions due to waterlogging on the runways and taxiways. According to airport authorities, more than 120 flights were delayed, and several others were diverted to nearby airports such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad due to poor visibility and flooding.
A senior airport official confirmed that ground operations were temporarily suspended for safety reasons. “Runway and apron areas experienced heavy waterlogging. Our teams are working around the clock to restore normalcy,” the official said. Passengers were advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
The situation led to long queues and chaos at the airport’s arrival and departure terminals, as travelers struggled to find transport amid heavy rain and flooded access roads.
Commuters across Chennai faced massive traffic jams, particularly along Mount Road, OMR, and ECR, where vehicles moved at a snail’s pace due to ankle-deep water. Public transport was hit as several Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses broke down mid-route, while auto-rickshaws and cabs charged exorbitant fares due to high demand.
In addition to traffic disruptions, several neighborhoods experienced power outages as a precautionary measure to prevent electrical accidents. The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) said power was cut off in areas with severe flooding to ensure public safety. Restoration efforts are underway, officials said.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed over 2,000 workers to clear blocked drains and pump out water from flooded areas. Relief teams, equipped with motor pumps and inflatable boats, have been stationed in vulnerable zones.
Authorities have issued advisories urging residents to stay indoors, avoid flooded roads, and refrain from unnecessary travel. The Chennai District Collector’s Office has hinted that schools and colleges may remain closed on Monday if rainfall continues overnight.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours, with warnings for possible flash floods in some parts of the city.
Despite the weather chaos, many Chennai residents continued to celebrate Diwali indoors, lighting lamps and sharing sweets while staying safe. However, fireworks displays and public gatherings were largely canceled due to rain and flooding.
Social media was filled with images of flooded streets juxtaposed with glowing diyas, symbolizing Chennai’s resilience in the face of adversity. “Even the rain can’t dim our Diwali light,” one user wrote, capturing the city’s enduring festive spirit.
