India, Dec. 2 -- Eighteen domestic flights were cancelled at the Chennai airport while schools and colleges in the city were closed, owing to heavy rains triggered by the remnants of Cyclone Ditwah that weakened into a depression on Tuesday. The Greater Chennai Corporation had 107 boats on standby to rescue civilians in low-lying areas and shelter them in relief centers, if necessary. The city remained on orange alert throughout the day.

On Tuesday several parts of Chennai recorded extremely heavy rainfall- Ennore (260 mm), Parrys (250 mm), Ice House (220 mm), Manali New Town and Ponneri (21 mm). Several arterial roads and subways across Chennai were affected, throwing traffic out of gear. Officials waded through ankle deep water to insp...