Very heavy rain flooded roads and slowed traffic across Chennai, in southern India, from Saturday evening into Sunday, The Hindu and India Today reported. India Today reported that it was the city's heaviest rain since Cyclone Michaung in 2023.

The worst rain hit north Chennai. The Hindu reported that Parrys got 363 millimeters, citing city data. Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said Parrys got 35.8 centimeters from 6 p.m. Saturday, India Today reported. Both figures are more than 14 inches. The city's Nungambakkam weather station recorded 157.8 millimeters over 24 hours, India Today reported.

Roads including Anna Salai backed up, and vehicles were stranded as water rose, The Hindu reported. A temporary shelter collapsed near a temple in Tiruvottiyur, but no one was hurt, the paper reported.

Arjuna said officials were checking whether the city had a cloudburst. "It is being said to be a cloudburst, but we will get confirmation later," he said, according to India Today.

About 15,000 city workers were sent across all zones, Arjuna said, according to DT Next. He urged residents to call the city helpline at 1913, India Today and DT Next reported. DT Next reported that a team from the National Disaster Response Force was on hand with four inflatable boats, and that five relief centers were ready. Residents of old housing board buildings in north Chennai were urged to move to relief centers for now, DT Next reported.

Heavy to very heavy rain is likely again over Chennai on Sunday, India Today reported. DT Next reported that heavy rain is forecast to continue through October 21, mostly at night.

What we know: Extreme rain flooded much of Chennai, with more than 350 millimeters in one area.
What we don't: How much more rain will fall this week and whether it was a cloudburst.