Torrential rains lashed Chennai last night, leaving several parts of the city, mostly slum colonies, inundated. With the northeast monsoons getting active last week, several low-lying areas in the city sunk under several feet of water, forcing authorities to evacuate at least 40,000 people from their homes. Chief secretary LK Tripathy said at least 35 rain related deaths had been reported from across Tamil Nadu since the onset of the northeast monsoons last week. The monsoons have been particularly aggressive in Nagapattinam and Chennai, he said, adding that the rising water level in the city reservoirs were being closely monitored.