Heavy rainfall lashed Chennai since Saturday night, causing waterlogging in several areas of the city. According to weather blogger K Srikanth, this was the highest amount of rainfall that Chennai had received in a 24-hour period since 2015, The Hindu reported.

Chennai recorded 207 millimetres of rainfall till 7.30 am on Sunday, The Indian Express reported.

The Chennai administration issued a flood alert to residents as gates of two reservoirs will be opened on Sunday to release surplus water accumulated from the heavy downpour, PTI reported.

Heavy rainfall is likely to continue in Tamil Nadu over the next two days, according to the India Meterological Department.

The weather department said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the South East Bay of Bengal under the influence of a cyclonic circulation.

“It is likely to become more marked and move west northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu coast during the subsequent 48 hours,” the weather department said in its bulletin at 7.45 pm.

The India Meterological Department added that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over north-coastal Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, parts of Chennai faced power cuts for several hours on Sunday, The Hindu reported. Because the streets were flooded, the power department had shut off supply to avert incidents of electrocution.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin surveyed some areas in Chennai affected by the heavy rain and asked politicians and government officials to carry out relief work.

Schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur will remain closed for two days, NDTV reported on Sunday.

The administration has asked district collectors of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to evacuate those living in low lying areas and move them to safe locations before the gates of Chembarambakkam and Puzhal reservoirs are opened.

Meanwhile, the weather department has also warned fishermen against venturing into Bay of Bengal from the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coast till November 12. The fishermen at the sea have been advised to return before November 9.

The Tamil Nadu government said that the monsoon has been active over the state since last two weeks, The Hindu reported. The state has received 41% excess rain.