CHENNAI: Rough seas on the North Chennai coast kicked up giant waves onto the Ennore Expressway throwing off commute, pushing down several motorists and bull dozing road side stalls, and parked vehicles. Local officials say it was caused due to cyclone Arnab whose landfall is expected during early hours (2-4 am) between Bapatla and Vishakapattinam close to Yanam.The Ennore Expressway connects Ennore with Kasimedu harbour and is mostly used by trucks heading to the Port besides local residents who live in areas like Kasimedu, Tollgate, Thiruvottiyur and Ennore. Scores of fishermen live on either side of the coasts.Many motorists were unaware of the high seas which hit them hard at around 8.30am. Police blocked the stretch temporarily, diverting vehicles towards the Thiruvottiyur High Road, said GCC officials from the Thiruvottiyur zone.The North Chennai coast stretching from Ennore to Kasimedu usually has a shorter coastal length of barely 20-30 metre or less, unlike longer coasts like Marina. The govt has put groynes to withstand the harsh waves that usually stretch up to the shore end. Locals said only during high-sea levels during cyclones, the waves have crossed the groynes and hit the roads.The Tamil Nadu govt evicted many of the neighbourhoods which were on the shore side of the Ennore Expressway years ago and most residential houses are only on the non-shore side of the Expressway now. However, despite the road being higher than the sea, the waves still managed to cross the road, said residents.
