After Cyclone Michaung triggered heavy rainfall in Chennai and its neighbouring districts, several areas of the city have been completely submerged making it impossible to commute even in cases of emergency.
The situation has prompted volunteer groups and even residents to get their boats out. Videos of people using boats to commute and to rescue residents from low-lying areas have been doing rounds on social media.
Several areas in the city saw power outages and internet disruption as torrential rains accompanied by squally winds continued to lash the region.
The cyclonic storm is likely to cross the coast in Andhra Pradesh on December 5. Low-lying areas in Chennai and many residential parts witnessed inundation, even as civic agency personnel were involved in clearing the stagnant water and rescuing residents from submerged houses.
The frequent floods in Chennai also sparked boat-related memes and jokes on social media.
"Government can organise street boat races during November and December in Chennai. People can get entertained in the absence of electricity and internet," said an X user, while another wrote, "Best time for boat owners to start a Chennai boat safari now. Might even relieve the stress of so many people whose houses are inundated with rainwater."
Owing to the rainfall and flooding, rail and air services in the city have also been either delayed or cancelled. "In view of water flowing above danger level, the bridge no.14 between Basin bridge and Vyasarpadi has been suspended on account of safety reasons," and six trains originating from the Dr MGR Chennai Central to destinations including Coimbatore and Mysuru were cancelled on Monday morning, the Southern Railway said, adding that passengers would receive full refunds.
(With inputs from PTI)
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