Chennai rains: Residents park two-wheelers in flats, fourth-floor corridors to prevent damage

Bikes, scooters, and cycles parked in a fourth-floor corridor and inside a room, in Chennai on Tuesday. (Image credit: @Vardhini_KVP, @vinothchellan/X)

As heavy rains lashed Chennai on Tuesday, some residents who are used to the severe water logging in low-lying areas have resorted to unconventional means to protect their vehicles. They have resorted to hauling their two-wheelers up to their apartments to ensure that they are not damaged during flooding.

The trend came to light after Velachery resident Kavitha Vishnu Vardhini shared a picture of her corridor on X. The fourth-floor common area of the apartment was lined with scooters, bikes, and even cycles. Velachery is infamous for its flooding problems.

Velachery flyovera vidunga makkale... Look at our corridor....Note: We live on the fourth floor #Chennairains #velachery #perungalathur #RedAlert #chennaiflood pic.twitter.com/Bqe9c4mile
Kavitha Vishnu Vardhini | (@Vardhini_KVP) October 14, 2024

In a separate post, Kavitha said that during the monsoon last year, the ground floor parking area of the apartment was flooded. That's why people were being cautious this time.

Responding to her post, another X user shared that he had parked three bikes inside his room amid the downpour.

Inga enga Room eh paarunga. We even lifted the bullet and parked in the hall #ChennaiRains #NEMoonsoon #RedAlert pic.twitter.com/wpwxo1DVq7Vinoth Chellan (@vinothchellan) October 14, 2024

Many areas in Chennai and its suburbs have been receiving heavy rainfall since Monday night. Apart from Velachery, Koyambedu, Guindy, Madipakkam and other low-lying areas in the city are reportedly flooded causing traffic woes.

Meanwhile, Greater Chennai Corporation officials said they had deployed 990 water pumps, 57 tractors equipped with pump sets and 36 mechanised boats for emergencies. Around 170 fully equipped relief centres are also operational.

The Regional Meteorological Centre had predicted heavy rain in Chennai and surrounding areas on October 15 and 16. It had also issued an orange alert for the two days, warning of potential flooding and waterlogging.