The city of Chennai and surrounding areas in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu as well as the adjacent Union Territory of Pondicherry (Puducherry) have experienced very heavy rains in recent weeks resulting in localized flooding, which has been severe in some areas. The Adyar River has overflowed its banks and rains are expected to continue for several days. U.S. citizens visiting and residing in the area should shelter in place. The Chennai International Airport is closed and no flights are currently operating. Power has been cut throughout Chennai, though some hotels and businesses continue to operate with back-up generators. Most hotels that remain open report that they are at capacity. The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is closed for all services Thursday December 3 and Friday December 4. Travelers should defer all travel to the area. Travelers should consult airlines for updated information on airport operations and status of flights.
The Indian government’s national relief force helpline is: +91 44 2859 3990. More information about the Indian National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence can be found on their website
The local governments have provided the following emergency contact information:
Key Emergency Phone Numbers in Tamil Nadu:
- Emergency Toll Free No: 1913
- State Emergency: 1070
- District Emergency: 1077
- Electricity: 1912
- Fire & Rescue: 101
- Ambulance: 108
Key Emergency Phone Numbers in Pondicherry:
- Police: 100
- Ambulance: 102
- Natural Disaster Control Room: 1096
- Fire: 101
If you are located in India and need to report an emergency about a U.S. citizen please contact the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi: telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407.
If you are located outside of India and need to report an emergency about a U.S. citizen who is in in the affected area, please call our U.S.-based number 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at +1-202-501-4444.
U.S. citizens living and traveling in Tamil Nadu are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and update their contact information. Enrolling facilitates the U.S. Mission’s contact with U.S. citizens in emergencies, and may be done online and in advance of travel.
Information on enrolling with STEP can be found at the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs website. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy’s Internet home page address is https://in.usembassy.gov/.
