A red alert has been issued for Chennai and three adjoining districts after heavy rain led to flooding in several areas. Schools, colleges and non-essential government offices in these districts will remain closed on Friday.

Three people have died in rain-related electrocutions in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, state minister for revenue and disaster management Sattur Ramachandran said.

Up to 20 cm of rains triggered by a cyclonic circulation along the coast have led to waterlogging in several parts of Chennai disrupting traffic on a large scale on Thursday as commuters were caught unawares.