Rains lash many parts of Tamil Nadu

Chennai, December 1

Rains lashed many parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry with the North-East monsoon in the last 24 hours claiming one life in the state capital, even as the Met office predicted more showers in the next two days.

Various parts of the state have been receiving good rainfall since the onset of the monsoon on October 16.

Director of area cyclone-warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, N Puviarasan said the presence of an upper air circulation caused heavy to very heavy rains.

“In the past 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Sunday, Sathankulam in Tuticorin district recorded maximum of 19 cm of rainfall followed by Cuddalore 17 cm, Tirunelveli 15 cm, Kancheepuram 13 cm,” he told reporters here on Sunday.

He said light to heavy rainfall might occur over the next 24-48 hours.

“Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Vellore, Tiruvallur, Thiruvannamalai districts may receive very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours,” he said.

To a query, he said the rainfall recorded since October 1 was 39 per cent which was three per cent higher than the rain received during the setting of the monsoon.

For Chennai and its surrounding areas, he said light to moderate rainfall might occur over the next two days.

“The city received 51 cm this season which is 9 per cent less compared to the normal 60 cm received during monsoon season,” he said.

He advised fishermen not to venture into sea at Cape Comorin, Lakshadweep area as gusty winds were likely to occur due to the presence of depression in the Arabian Sea.

To another query, he said Nagapattinam district received the maximum rainfall registering 81 cm as against 67 cm normally during the monsoon season.

Meanwhile, city Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan took stock of situation in the state capital and reviewed the measures taken following the heavy rainfall.

Viswanathan said all departments have been alerted to take stock of situation in a coordinated manner. – PTI