Perhaps for the first time in living memory, the Saidapet Bridge over the Adyar River in Chennai saw water flowing over the bridge. Vehicular traffic has been stopped and civic authorities are maintaing a close vigil.

The river was expected to overflow owing to the torrential rains. Traffic police officials said that the water from Chembarambakkam lake was released last night, because of which the flooding started on the bridge since 2am on Wednesday.

However, civic authorities have been evacuating people on the banks of Adyar River since yesterday.

Assistant Commissioner Thangaraj of Saidapet police told TNM that 1500 families have been evacuated since Tuesday night and they have been shifted to nearby school shelters.

The met department has warned of heavy rainfall throughout the week in Chennai and other coastal areas.

Here is a short video and some images from the Saidapet Bridge: