Extremely heavy rainfall lashed several districts across Tamil Nadu and most places recording over 20 cm of rain in the last 24 hours, with the meteorological department said on Sunday that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely across the state till October 24.
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry normally receive heavy rainfall during the northeast monsoon season, which officially sets in between October and December every year. In view of the heavy rainfall, the state nominated senior ministers, lawmakers and officials to take up relief and rehabilitation works in various locations. Six locations in Chennai, including Parrys recorded the highest amount of 36.3 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, according to the regional meteorological centre (RMC). Twelve other locations in the city received heavy to very heavy rainfall exceeding 11.5 cm as the northeast monsoon remains active in the region. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely over the state,along with other south Indian states, including Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, till October 24, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). In an update by the RMC, heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, with thunderstorms and lightning at one or two places are likely to occur over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villuppuram, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Erode, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Salem, Tiruvallur, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Ariyalur districts, till October 21 and heavy rainfall is likely till October 24. Besides Parrys, Kathivakkam (north Chennai) registered 34 cm, central Chennai 27 cm, Thiruvottiyur and Ennore recorded 22cm, and MGR Nagar in Chennai logged 19 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.
The Tamil Nadu government said due to heavy rainfall there was no loss of life nor were major accidents reported during the last 24 hours. One team of personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been roped in to take up rehabilitation works in flood-prone areas while four teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been kept ready due to heavy rainfall conditions.
