The Madras High Court has taken the Greater Chennai Corporation to task for failing to take adequate steps to prevent flooding in the city due to rain.

The High Court has warned the civic body that it would initiate suo motu action if the present situation was not brought under control. It came down heavily on the civic authorities for not doing enough on the issue over the last six years despite the devastating experience of the 2015 floods in city.

Chennai and several suburbs in Chengelpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts have witnessed heavy rainfall since Saturday, turning out to be one of the heaviest in recent years. Most roads and bylanes are flooded and neighbourhoods are without power supply.

Five people have died due to rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu as homes were damaged.

To clear waterlogging and subways, Greater Chennai Corporation has deployed 23,000 personnel. Of the 16 city subways that were flooded, water has been drained in 14 of them, PTI quoted authorities as saying.

Chennai and its neighbouring districts are likely to face more days of intense rain and an alert has been issued for people living in low-lying areas in parts of the state.

Over 1,000 people in Chennai have been forced to take shelter in relief camps. In the northern districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Chengelpet and Tiruvallur, 314 people have been housed in 10 shelters.

The rainfall recorded in Tamil Nadu is over 43 per cent above normal since the northeast monsoon started last month.

Incessant rain in Chennai and its adjoining areas have led to flash floods disrupting normal life and the National Disaster Response Force was called in to assist in rescue work.

The authorities have shut down schools in four districts.

With the lakes around Chennai overflowing, water is being released from the Chembarambakkam lake.

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