Rain batters TN as toll mounts to 59

Chennai, November 15

Tamil Nadu continued to experience monsoon fury, with heavy rain pounding various parts of the state under the influence of a well marked low pressure area over Bay of Bengal, as the death toll from rain-related incidents climbed to 59.

There seemed to be no respite from the downpour with many parts of the city coming under water even as the weatherman forecast more rains for the next 24 hours, beginning 0830 hrs.

The India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin today the well-marked low pressure area over southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Sri Lanka persisted and “it is likely to move west-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast and would concentrate into a Depression during next 24 hours.” Under its influence, more rains were expected in the next 24 hours, the Regional Meteorological Department said.

Anaikaracharthiram (Nagapattinam) received the maximum rainfall of 18 cm recorded till 8.30 am, RMC Director S R Ramanan said, adding, Sirkali from the same district registered 17 cm. Chennai received three cm rainfall between 8.30 am and 11.30 am today.

He said heavy to very heavy rain was expected in the northern coastal districts in the next 24 hours. — PTI