At least five people were killed as heavy rains lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu for two days, bringing capital Chennai and neighbouring districts to a grinding halt. Widespread rains were forecast for Tamil Nadu on Wednesday though there was some respite on Tuesday.
The north east monsoon dumped heavy showers on Monday leaving five persons dead and disrupting life in several areas due to waterlogging.
Officials said four persons died in rain-related incidents in different places since Monday evening taking the toll to five. One person was killed in a wall collapse in Thanjavur district on Monday.
Two persons died at suburban Anakaputhur after being struck by lightning while two others died in rain related incidents at Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts, official sources told PTI.
The Met department has forecast widespread rain or thundershowers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls in coastal areas on Wednesday due to the vigorous monsoon, which set in over the state last week.
The upper air cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka moved westward and was now positioned over Gulf of Munnar, Director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre, S Balachandran told reporters.
Normal life in localities such as Vyasarpadi, Otteri, Tiruvotriyur in the North and Velachery, Madipakkam and Mudichur in the Southern parts of Chennai was disrupted by the impact caused by overnight rains.
Though schools remained closed in the city and several other districts in expectation of heavy showers on Tuesday, there was a lull in rain. The sky largely remained overcast and some areas saw brief spells of sunshine.
Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians were affected the most due to waterlogging. Civic authorities said action was being taken to clear inundation by using water-pumps.
Intermittent spells of rain, however, continued in various other coastal districts, including Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur.
Desilting work was on in the Adyar rivermouth and in several other locations of the river in the city, including Egmore, authorities said.
(With PTI inputs)
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