CHENNAI: Heavy rains on Tuesday pounded several parts of
Tamil Nadu and inundating most areas of
Chennai, severely disrupting flights, train and bus services and forcing postponement of half-yearly school exams even as the state braced for more showers in next four days.
As the death toll in rain-related incidents touched 188, Chief Minister Jayalalithaaa reviewed the situation and deputed ministers to inspect the affected regions.
Half-yearly exams in schools, which were to have begun on December 7, were postponed. Schools were closed today and will remain shut tomorrow as well.
Flight operations also took a hit due to rains. Airport officials said one flight, which had left Colombo this morning, returned.
Twelve trains leaving
Chennai were cancelled due to water overflowing on railway tracks between Villupuram - Tambaram section. Also, eleven trains were diverted.
Motorists had a tough time as not only arterial roads like Anna Salai and, GST Road were inundated but also many interior roads. Also, many roads were damaged, with several of them caving in inconveniencing motorists.
Teams of army, navy, coast guard and NDRF have been deployed in the worst-affected areas of Tambaram. Police and Fire service personnel were also involved in rescue operations. (Zee News India)