At least 188 dead, flights delayed, road and rail traffic hit as rains continue to batter Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Heavy rains have battered several areas 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 since October. Many low lying areas in Chennai have been water logged.

The city's infrastructure has taken a heavy beating, many roads have caved in while nine flights have been delayed. 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 haver been damaged in other parts of the city as well including North Chennai, Mandaveli, PS Sivasamy Salai Mylapore, Taramani Link Road, Madhya Kailash intersection on Sardar Patel Road and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. A portion of Gandhi Mandapam Road also caved in near Kotturpuram bridge.

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.

Regional office numbers:

First Regional Office (Tiruvottiyur) – 09445190001

Second Regional Office (Manali) – 09445190002

Third Regional Office (Madhavaram) – 09445190003

Fourth Regional Office (Tondiarpet) – 09445190004

Fifth Regional Office (Royapuram) – 0944510005

Sixth Regional Office (Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar) – 09445190006