Pictures: Chennai comes to a standstill as heavy rains flood city

People wade through a flooded beach after heavy rainfall in Chennai. A cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal that is likely to turn into a low-pressure area and further turn into a Depression is set to bring in heavy spells of rain over the rain-battered Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Kerala during the next five days, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.

Power cut or supply at a very low voltage, the threat of more rains resulting in waterlogged roads and homes getting inundated, Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu on Monday morning.

With the weather department predicting more rains for the next couple of days, the one prayer or thought in the minds of citizens is "let there be no another 2015 floods." Above, a view of Marina Beach following heavy rain in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin distributes food to the flood victims, in Chennai on Monday.

Meanwhile, officials of Greater Chennai Corporation, fire service, police and others are in the process of pumping out the stagnant water to provide respite for the people.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms will continue in Chennai and almost all other districts of Tamil Nadu in the next two days, the regional centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.

The heavy rain that lashed Chennai and other adjoining areas of the state capital were due to a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean extending up to 4.5 km above sea level.

The IMD has predicted that low pressure may form over the southeast Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas by Tuesday, which will become more pronounced and move in the direction of Tamil Nadu's northern coast in the next 48 hours.

The interior parts of the state will also receive heavy rain, as well as the isolated places over the Nilgiris, Erode, Krishnagiri and Coimbatore districts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and discussed the situation in view of heavy rainfall in parts of the state. PM Modi assured all the possible support from the central government's side in the rescue and relief work.

Chennai Domestic Airport following heavy rain, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021.

The Chief Minister informed that including Chennai, 11 other districts are also affected due to rainfall of about 20 cm and above, which is unusual. He said that other districts did not witness much rainfall, but instructed 24x7 vigilance in such districts.

Tamil Nadu fire and rescue team during a rescue operation at a waterlogged area following heavy rain in Chennai.

The state government has set up pump sets in different 500 locations to remove the logged water. Further, 50,000 food packets were also distributed. Relief camps providing food, shelter and medical care have been opened in the city.