As the common people in Chennai have borne the brunt of the unprecedented rains and floods triggered thereby, railway stations have become a welcome source of refuge for those in distress.

People in Pallavan nagar for instance, near the Cooum, have taken refuge in Chintadripet railway station. And it is not only humans, but animals and fowl as well that have found succour here.

Sub-urban stations like Tambaram on the outskirts of Chennai, have turned into veritable refugee camps for construction workers like Saleem, who is eagerly awaiting his return back home to West Bengal.

"Our train was from Chennai Central but we couldn't go there as we couldn't cross the bridge, so we had to come here to seek shelter," said Pranjali, a BBA student, seeking refuge at Tambaram station.

"I live in Medumbakkam and situation is very bad in our area. These poor people have been living at the stations for several days. We are waiting for the water to recede," said IT professional Raj.

With several trains being cancelled or suspended due to overflow of water on the tracks, it’s a long and impatient wait for many people, especially migrant labourers and non-locals, who wish to move out of the city and reach the safety of their hometowns.