Heavy rain lashes Tamil Nadu

Pedestrians were caught unawares due to a sudden downpour in Chennai on Saturday evening. Photo : R. Ravindran

Normal life was thrown out of gear in Tamil Nadu as heavy rain lashed several parts of the region last night with weathermen predicting more rains during the next 24 hours starting 8.30 a.m. today.

Met officials said that Southwest monsoon has been active over coastal Karnataka and Telangana and under the influence, rains or thundershowers would occur over coastal areas of the state during the next 24 hours.

They said that Saturday’s trough on sea level chart now runs from Coastal Andhra Pradesh to extreme South Peninsula across Coastal Tamil Nadu.

Fishermen were warned not to venture into see since strong offshore winds from Westerly direction speed occasionally reaching 45-55 kmph likely along off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

Chennai recorded 19.6mm of rain during the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am today.

Rain or thundershower may occur in the coastal areas and the maximum temperature may hover around 35 degree Celsius, they said.