Chennai’s Floods Return, and So Does the City’s Unbreakable Spirit
Chennai faces another round of heavy flooding, revealing both the city’s vulnerabilities and its extraordinary resilience.
Swati Dubey 
Chennai woke up once again to waterlogged streets, stalled traffic, and neighbourhoods swallowed by rain that refused to stop. For many residents, it felt like history repeating itself—power cuts, flooded homes, and families moving upstairs in the hope that the water wouldn’t rise any further. The city’s drainage system, already stretched thin, couldn’t keep up with the intensity of this year’s rains.
But even in the toughest hours, Chennai showed its familiar strength. Strangers offered shelter, residents cooked extra for those stranded, and volunteers stepped out long before formal help arrived. Autos turned into rescue vehicles, and social media became a lifeline for SOS calls. It’s a kind of unity the city never fails to show, no matter how harsh the rain becomes.
What makes this year different is the conversation it's sparking. People are asking real questions about climate readiness, planning, and why every heavy rain turns into a crisis. Chennai has proved its resilience many times, but resilience shouldn’t be the only plan. The floods are a reminder that the city deserves better than surviving— it deserves to breathe without fear every monsoon.
