Sudden rain, thunder squall in Chennai

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The sudden increase in wind speed and rain in Chennai claimed two lives on Wednesday.

Babu, 35, a worker, digging a 10-feet hole for metro water met with a watery grave on Erukkencherry high road in Vyasarpadi at 4 pm, when mudslide fell on him.

Around the same time, at Marina Beach, Vignesh, 15, who was selling sundal, was struck by lightning.

Hailing from Salem, Babu was digging when the rain started. When the stormwater with mud entered the pit, Babu was buried.

Kumbakonam’s Vignesh was working for Miran Bai, who owns a sundal shop at the Marina. The boy, who used to earn at least Rs 50 everyday by selling hot sundals died at 4.15 pm when the devastating lightning hit him.

While two people died due to sudden rain, the city witnessed many accidents caused due to lesser visibility on roads.

Many commuters fearing trouble, parked their vehicles at nearby railway stations and took suburban trains. Even as traffic moved slowly at various places, several areas witnessed uprooting of trees.