First night of the lockdown; total shutdown

Well before the P. Orr. & Sons clock at the roundabout on the Marina struck 9, there were police in vans preparing to enforce lockdown regulations on the first day of this pandemic period.

Traffic of MTC buses, vans, cars and bikes were possibly on their final leg at this time and soon, the wide beach road was near empty save for the odd vehicle.

In the heart of Mylapore, the doors of Sri Kapali Temple were shut and devotees who often come here late, stopped in front of the vasal to offer a prayer in silence.

On the mada streets, the scene was ghostly – save for some cleaning work on at a few restaurants all shops were shut, as were the hawker stalls, sealed well long before the lockdown hour.