Rain plays spoilsport to Chennai residents’ Sunday plans

October 21, 2013 03:07 am | Updated May 28, 2016 06:36 am IST - CHENNAI:

Those on the road were caught unawares, while others had to forego outings, as showers drenched the city from 5.30 p.m.. Photo: M. Srinath

Those on the road were caught unawares, while others had to forego outings, as showers drenched the city from 5.30 p.m.. Photo: M. Srinath

For S. Ankith, a marketing executive who lives in Adyar, Sunday is reserved for fun and frolic on the beach with friends. But this weekend, his plans fell through thanks to the rain that began early in the evening and continued to lash the city until just after 10 p.m.

Like Ankith, many residents who had planned a Sunday outing had to stay indoors.

“My friends and I usually meet at Elliot’s beach to relax and unwind. But we had to cancel our plans as it started raining from 5.30 p.m.,” said Anikith.

According to the meteorological department, Nungambakkam recorded rainfall of 16.6 mm and Meenambakkam recorded 5 mm until 8.30 p.m. Officials said the rains were due to a low pressure formation in the central south bay.

“Conditions are favourable for the onset of the northeast monsoon within the next 48 hours,” said a met official.

Many residents were stranded in different parts of the city and had to use cabs or autorickshaws to get back home.

“I had gone to a shopping mall in Velachery with my family around 4 p.m. But when I stepped out at 5.30 p.m., it was drizzling. As my two-year-old is unwell, I decided to wait until the rain stopped. But it turned into a downpour so I booked a cab to get to my home in Mandavelli,” said S. Paulose, who works at a private firm.

S. Ramasamy, an advocate and a resident of Virugambakkam also had plans for Sunday, but cancelled them due to the showers.

“I had a wedding reception to attend at a hotel in Mylapore. I had gone to T. Nagar to buy a gift for the couple and left home around 5.45. By the time I reached the shop, I was drenched. I decided not to go to the reception as it would have taken a long time to get back home, change and then go to the hotel,” he said.

Autorickshaw drivers said that many residents opted to hop in rather than wait for an MTC bus.

“Since we use the meter, many passengers waiting for the bus got into our vehicles. They complained that the bus stops did not have proper shelters,” said S. Pandi, who operates from a stand in Mylapore

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