Several parts of the rain-starved city received moderate rainfall since Tuesday night. Intermittent rain over the city is likely to continue till Friday but the intensity may reduce from Thursday.
A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is set to bring rain to the State for two or three more days. While northern parts of the State are likely to see rainfall at many places, a few weather stations in south Tamil Nadu are also likely to record rainfall till Friday.
There is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall, up to 24 cm, in north districts and Puducherry on Thursday, according to officials of the Meteorological Department.
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On Wednesday, several areas in Chennai received moderate rainfall. The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 2 cm of rainfall till 6 p.m.
According to rainfall data collated by Water Resources Department, Tiruttani and Uthukottai received 4 cm, while Poondi, Minjur and Red Hills recorded nearly 3 cm of rainfall till Wednesday evening. Many places in Kancheepuram district too registered moderate rainfall.
Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur will remain closed on Thursday. The respective Collectors declared a holiday following rain.
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Low-pressure area
S. Balachandran, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said there was a well-marked low-pressure area over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal Tamil Nadu.
“This will ensure moderate rain over Tamil Nadu till Saturday. There is no chance for the weather system to intensify into a depression,” he added.
As the system moves westwards, interior parts will begin to get more rainfall on Thursday. Surface winds may blow with a speed of 45 km per hour and at times 55 km per hour in districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Vellore, under the influence of the weather system, he said.
The rain has brought only a marginal inflow of 15 million cubic feet of water to the city’s waterbodies.