Flood alert sounded in Chennai as incessant rains lash city

<p>
Heavy rains have been continuously lashing Chennai and its suburban areas since last night prompting the authorities to sound a preliminary flood alert as two water reservoirs in the city are being opened due to the excess water.</p>
<p>
Several parts of the city are already waterlogged, disrupting normal life. </p>
<p>
Chembarambakkam and Puzhal reservoirs, which are the key sources of drinking water for Chennai, will be opened to let out surplus rain water, authorities announced.</p>
<p>
Sounding a preliminary flood alert, the state water resources authorities advised district collectors of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to evacuate people from low-lying areas and shift them to safe locations.</p>
<p>
While Chennai and several suburbs in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts witnessed intermittent rains since Saturday morning, the downpour intensified since last night.</p>