NEW DELHI, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has led to flooding in several areas of Chennai, the capital city of the state, officials said Friday.
The rains that started on Tuesday has resulted in water logging and caused traffic jams.
On Thursday evening, the water logging caused traffic jam, leading commuters to remain stranded on the roads for hours together.
At many places, cars and auto rickshaws were seen wading through water above their wheels.
In the wake of rains and water logging, the administration closed educational institutions and asked private offices in Chennai and adjoining Kanchipuram to declare holiday.
"The private firms have been asked to permit their staff to work from home wherever possible," a local government official said. "Schools and colleges have been shut in Chennai, Kanchipuram Pudukottai, Tiruvallur, Nagappattinam, and Tiruvarur because of heavy rains."
The downpour in the city has affected power supply for many hours.
Meteorological department officials in Chennai have predicted more rain in the next 24-hours.
Authorities have directed officials to keep an eye on the situation and make efforts for distribution of relief measures.
The heavy rains have triggered fears among people regarding the devastating floods of 2015. However officials say there was no need for residents to panic.
Farmers in Tamil Nadu were reeling under severe stress due to two successive years of drought.
In January this year, the local government in Tamil Nadu declared all districts of the state drought-hit following a deficit in the northeast monsoon in 2016.
In December 2015, Chennai was flooded after the heaviest rainfall in over a century.
