Cyclone Murasu: floodwater recedes but damaged roads in Chennai remain a concern

As Cyclone Murasu brought overnight rains lashing the city since Sunday (November 1, 2026) night, the rainwater stagnation reported in several parts of Chennai subsided by 11:00 am on Monday (November 2). However, damaged roads, potholes and stretches left uneven after stormwater drainage and engineering works continued to worry residents and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council members. urged the civic body to fix the problems before more rains hit the city in December due to the northeast monsoon.

Chennai recorded an average rainfall of 76.07 mm in the 24 hours ending at 6 am on November 2, according to data from the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) of the Greater Chennai Corporation. Of the monitoring stations, 28 recorded heavy rain and five recorded very heavy rain. Parrys recorded the highest rainfall at 149.2 mm, followed by New Manali Town with 141.6 mm.

The intensity of the precipitation eased significantly on November 2. The city recorded an average of 2.08 mm between 6 am and 2 pm During this eight-hour period, 47 stations recorded very light rain and 16 recorded light rain. Ennore recorded the highest rainfall of 5.6 mm.

Ambedkar Valavan alias Kumarasamy, VCK party councilor from Purasaiwalkam, said there was no water stagnation in his ward, including Thideer Nagar and Periyar Nagar. He said earlier work had resolved waterlogging issues reported in the area. However, he pointed out the poor condition of several roads, including Rettamalai Srinivasan Salai and Cooks Road, from Otteri Bridge towards Binny Mills, where potholes and uneven surface remained.

Stagnant storm water was being drained by Greater Chennai Corporation at Sai Nagar 9th Cross Street in Thoraipakkam under Sholinganallur zone on 2nd November 2026 after Cyclone Murasu rains. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

He said several roads in Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar zone including New Barren Road, Kunnur High Road, Strahans Road, Perambur Barracks Road, Ganeshapuram Road, Ambedkar College Road and Basin Bridge Road have been affected by excavation work for Metro Rail and Metro Water projects. Sections were dug up and left uneven without proper restoration, he said. Even light rain could make such stretches dangerous for motorists, especially those unfamiliar with road conditions.

He also pointed out the continued closure of the Ganeshapuram Metro despite road work not progressing. The closure forced residents of nearby neighborhoods to make longer journeys to cremation sites. Residents who could earlier reach the BB Road crematorium after walking about half a kilometer now had to walk nearly eight kilometres, he said.

After the rains from Cyclone Murasu, repairs are underway to repair potholes created on the road at Ponniamman Koil near Manjambakkam under Manali zone by the Greater Chennai Corporation on November 2, 2026. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Mr Kumarasamy alleged that road works awarded under the previous regime were stopped after the change of government, with officials citing lack of funds. He said estimates and remedial works were not prepared in advance of the monsoon. He also criticized the absence of precautionary measures such as the deployment of tractors, generators and pumps in vulnerable areas.

No waterlogging in the north

K. Shanmugam, president of the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Societies, said the rain had not caused major flooding in his area. However, water collected in depressions along the road from Chinnadamam to Thiruthangal Nadar College due to its uneven surface. He also marked KK Salai in Manali, a key link road stretching about two to three kms towards Manali market where sections were dug for rainwater drainage but not properly restored.

Greater Chennai Corporation dealing with potholes at Kumaran Nagar in Madhavaram on November 2, 2026. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

S. Vishanth of the Ennore Solidarity Group said water was stagnant in parts of Athipattu near Ennore, but the situation has subsequently improved. He said the area where he was located was relatively elevated and saw less water accumulation.

No significant stagnation

At Panagal Park in T. Nagar, Ajay Kumar of Vummidi Bangaru Jewelers said that rainwater has not reached the shops during the recent period. He said Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Greater Chennai Corporation have kept motor pumps and tractors ready in the area – following a report of water entering shops during heavy rain 22 Oct 2026 By The Hindu.

Cyclone Mirasu | Regional Deputy Commissioner (Central) (RDC) HR Koushik inspects Paper Mills Road in Kolathur which is facing stagnation due to incessant rains in Chennai from Sunday night to Monday (November 1-2, 2026). Waterlogging at Panagal Park, where many shops reported losses due to rainwater entering shops in October, has been cleared, officials said. Visuals: @chennaicorp @THChennai @the_hindu #ChennaiRains #ChennaiRain #CycloneMurasu #CycloneUpdate

— R Aishwarya (@AishRavi64) November 1, 2026

In Adyar zone, Ward Committee Chairman RD Durairaj said there was no significant water stagnation, only thin layers of water remained on some internal roads. He said the spillway on Velachery Main Road was closed till 11pm on Sunday. Velachery Main Road, Pallikaranai Road and Medavakkam Road were among the stretches where the road condition required attention.

Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar, who inspected several areas around 2 am on Monday, said water stagnation at some places was due to silt-clogged sumps. On Monday morning, the water receded. He called for annual road maintenance contracts on bus routes and inland roads on a zonal basis, with contractors responsible for taking care of damaged sections immediately after being marked by engineers.

Zonal officials and Commissioner Sugar R. Kannan inspected the stagnant rainwater cleaning work at Goods Shed Road in Vyasarpadi under Tondiarpet zone by the Greater Chennai Corporation on November 2, 2026. Photo credit: Special arrangement

On road issues, he said the contractor should be responsible for repairing damaged roads throughout the year once the assistant engineer identifies the problem and the executive engineer recommends the work. Officials would inspect the repairs and approve the bill before payment.

Published – 02 Nov 2026 19:19 IST