Heavy rain lashed the city and its suburbs on Tuesday evening. The sharp showers that started at around 8 p.m. continued till 9 p.m.
The rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, flooded the city roads and low-lying areas. Most of the vehicles remained off the roads as the rain almost blinded motorists, especially two-wheeler riders.
A coconut palm at Nathapatti near Karumathur went up in flames after lightning struck it at around 8.30 p.m. Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the spot. However, the flames that burnt the dry sheaths were put out by the showers making the task easy for the firemen.
At Munichalai, strong wind that accompanied the rain pulled down a tree near Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry building, which the firemen from Anupanadi removed. Uprooting of a tree was also reported at Muthupatti, according to police.
The rain revealed the lack of preparedness on part of the Corporation for the onset of the monsoon as many roads were inundated as the chocked storm water drains had not been desilted.
Water-logging was reported on 80 Feet Road near Anna Nagar police station that put motorists to a lot of inconvenience.
Knee-deep water was reported on Goods Shed Road, as rain water from West and North Masi Streets drained towards this place, complained local shopkeepers.
Rainwater that filled up the potholes too put the driving/riding skills of the motorist to test on Race Course Road. Power cuts were reported from a few parts of the city.
Good part of the Alagarkoil Road at Pudur was marooned in the downpour that took quite sometime to drain.
