Heavy rains lash Tamil Nadu; IMD predicts more showers till Wednesday; holiday declared

After a wetter-than-normal southwest monsoon, Tamil Nadu is now all set to witness its main rainfall season -- the northeast monsoon. With the start of northeast monsoon on Sunday, the capital Chennai and other regions of Tamil Nadu are receiving heavy rains followed by thunderstorms.

Continuous rainfall has lead to inundation in several parts of Chennai and nearby areas. Several stretches in and around the arterial Anna Salai, the congested localities of north Chennai including parts of Pulianthope and neighbourhoods and suburbs witnessed waterlogging, resulting in traffic congestion.

The Regional Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rain in Chennai and the adjoining districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalapattu till Wednesday. Holidays have been declared in some districts due to forecast of heavy rains.



In Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengelpet, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts, administration has declared holiday for schools.

A yellow alert has been issued for Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, where heavy to very heavy rain are predicted for the next two days.

The heavy downpour is due to the likely movement of a trough in easterlies across Tamil Nadu, IMD said.

The weather department has also warned of heavy to very heavy rain in Villupuram, Tirupattur, Kallakurichi, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Myladuthurai districts

Chief Minister M K Stalin plans to chair a meeting of top officials at the Secretariat today to review the monsoon precautionary measures. The Northeast monsoon rains commenced in Tamil Nadu on October 29.

As per the IMD, Tamil Nadu receives at least 48% of its annual rainfall (on average) from the northeast monsoon, which typically lasts from October to December.