Tamil Nadu rains: 3 people dead; schools and offices shut

Chennai : A red alert has been issued for Chennai after heavy rainfall flooded the streets. Three people have reportedly lost their lives in rain-related incidents, state minister for revenue and disaster management K. K. S. S. R. Ramachandran said.

Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, and Chengalepattu are the districts where a red alert, which indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, has been issued.

Schools, colleges and non-essential government offices in above districts will remain closed on Friday.

Chennai metro rail extended services by one hour on Thursday to help stranded commuters. The last metro left by 12 am. 

Four subways in the city have been shut. "More than 145 giant pumps are running to pump waters out," Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the weather department has forecasted moderate rain on Friday.