Live Blog: Low pressure area likely to turn into depression, to land near Chennai

With thunderstorms lashing the city throughout the night, Chennai recorded 50 mm of rain at Meenambakkam by 6 am on October 15. Schools, colleges and offices are closed. Reports of panic buying of essential items, closed vegetable markets are also coming in. Get live updates here:

300 relief camps set up in Chennai. 35 kitchens are ready with staff members across the city. 84 boats are kept ready for rescue operations and 24 SDRF+NDRF teams are stationed. 100 special medical camps have also been set up and 15 IAS officers have been appointed in each of the 15 zones as the nodal officers to inspect rains - Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanaidhi Stalin tells the media at the headquarters of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh tells teachers across Tamil Nadu to cancel online classes as some children may not have internet connectivity in the rains

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai, the city had recorded 60 mm of rain by 8.30 am. This is the highest in the state, followed by Chengelpattu which recorded 46.3 mm of rain.

Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Ranipettai, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Villupuram districts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry are likely to be hit by moderate to severe thunderstorms, the RMC said at 10.23 am.

Residents of Dhandeeswaram Nagar in Velachery have flagged inundation after an incessant spell of rains between 9am and 12 noon.

Five subways closed due to water stagnation:

1. Perambur Railway subway

2. Ganesapuram subway

3. Sundharam point subway

4. Duraisami subway

5. Madley subway

20 areas vehicle movements are slower than usual:

1. Thana Street

2. Wellington to Thames Road

3. Independence Day Park to Nagas Junction

4. Tank Bunk Road

5. Sterling Road

6. Periyar Path to Nerkundram Path in Vadapalani

7. Neelangarai Junction to Neelangarai PS

8. Anna Salai to MGR Salai

9. Broadway Junction

10. Prakasam Road

11. Hyath Mahal

12. Manadi Metro

13. Blue Star Junction

14. Chintamani

15. Ayyappan Temple

16. Nerkundram Rail Nagar,

17. Mettukulam to Fire Station.

19. Hablis Hotel

RMC issues fresh warnings. Red alert in Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalapattu and Kanchipuram for October 16 and October 17.

Well-marked low pressure area has formed over south Bay of Bengal and NE monsoon has commenced, RMC says. Squally weather with wind speeds of 40 kmph to 50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph expected over parts of Bay of Bengal and along south Andhra Pradesh coast.

Korattur faces severe inundation after rains on October 15. Storm Water Drain works had been on-going since July in various parts of Korattur's ward 84 but work is incomplete. TNM also reported that the SWDs are not linked to the Korattur canal.

Water enters houses in West Mambalam, a low-lying area in Chennai's Kodambakkam zone.

The Tamil Nadu Government has declared a holiday tomorrow (Wednesday, October 16) for schools, colleges, government offices and public sector barring essential services in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts due to heavy rains.

Greater Chennai Corporation, in its X handle, said officials are removing fallen trees on roads at various places across the city.