Chennai and the suburban areas have been experiencing fresh spell of showers since last night. Marking the onset of the North East Monsoon, rain is expected to continue for the next 48 hours in some places of the coastal areas. The Director of the Regional Met Department Mr.S.R.Ramanan on Wednesday said that the rain is due to a low pressure area which has formed over West Central and adjoining East central and South Bay. Meanwhile, the State Government has geared up to meet the challenges of the rainy season in a precise manner. The Chief Secretary S. Malathi conducted a meeting at Chennai and reviewed the preparedness of 12 departments and agencies as well as the meteorology department.