Heavy rains leave trail of destruction in Indian city

 A cyclone which barrelled through India’s southern coast earlier this week has left Chennai city flooded and struggling to return to normal.

Authorities are trying to clear rainwater from homes and streets in the city’s suburbs.

Some residents say they are un­able to access basic necessities and are experiencing frequent power cuts.

At least 18 people have died in Tamil Nadu state – of which Chen­nai is the capital – in rain-related incidents.

Cyclone Michaung made land­fall on Tuesday in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh state – a child was killed and heavy crop damage was reported there before the cyclone weakened into a deep depression.

On Monday, about 24cm (9.4in) of rain fell on Chennai – In­dia’s meteorological department classifies rainfall above 21cm as “extremely heavy”.

The heavy rains brought back memories of deadly floods in 2015 which killed more than 200 people in Chennai, one of India’s largest cities which is also an industrial hub. Experts say that many Indian cities are unprepared to deal with extreme weather events due to unchecked construction and poor urban planning.

—BBC