Data | Despite getting less rainfall than 2020, Chennai streets are waterlogged. Here is why
The Hindu
Even though Chennai received lower rainfall 2021, compared to 2020, it still led to waterlogging as large amounts of rainfall came down in short time periods.
Short and intense spells of rain in the past two days have left several areas of Chennai inundated. This was in direct contrast to the rainfall pattern observed in November 2020 when Cyclone Nivar made landfall. At that time, though the amount of rainfall was more, it was distributed over three days and did not pour down in brief and intense spells, restricting the floods to only vulnerable localities.
The graph below shows rainfall recorded in Nungambakkam, every 15 minutes starting from 9.15 pm on Nov. 23, 2020 to 1.30 pm on Nov. 26, 2020. In the 64 hours, the station received 320.5 mm of rainfall.