One person was killed in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu as rains lashed several parts of the state on Monday, including capital Chennai where normal life in some areas was disrupted. Low-lying areas in Chennai were inundated and traffic snarled, bringing the city to a standstill and forcing the authorities to schools and colleges on Tuesday.
The heavy rain was the first big spell after the North East Monsoon set in over the state last week. The rains also brought cheers in several parts of the state hit by water scarcity.
A 38-year-old man died when a mud wall of his hut collapsed in Thinnaiyoor near Thanjavur district's Orathanadu which experienced heavy rains, police said.
Traffic in Chennai came to a grinding halt in several locations like the arterial GST Road and Anna Salai, affecting traffic bound for airport and other outskirt areas.
Buses were delayed in several areas and parts of the city and suburbs witnessed water logging, affecting office-goers and school children.
Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan said the civic body was fully geared to tackle the situation.
He said the corporation had over 450 water pumps which would be used in low-lying areas to bale out water in the event of water logging.
Several schools in Chennai closed ahead of schedule and collectors have announced that all schools and colleges in Chennai and Kancheepuram will remain closed on Tuesday.
Reports from Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur said several parts the districts received rains since Monday morning.
Neighbouring Puducherry and its suburbs were also lashed by heavy rains, inundating lowlying areas and resulting in traffic jams at various points.
Heavy rains expected in next 24 hours
The intermittent rains, under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over South West Bay of Bengal, began on Saturday night in parts of the state, and intensified this morning.
The Met office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours.
"The upper air cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka yesterday continues to be positioned in the same region," Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre here S Balachandran told reporters.
Due to this, coastal districts and many places in interior districts were likely to witness moderate showers in the next 24 hours, he said.
The Northeast Monsoon, which had arrived its onset on 28 October following the withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon, brings most of the rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
Regional Meteorological Centre forecast heavy and very heavy rains in isolated places over Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram districts of Coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will continue for next four days.
(With agencies)
