The Director of the Regional Met Department Mr.Ramanan today confirmed the beginning of the North East Monsoon and the withdrawal of the South West Monsoon. Speaking to newsmen at Chennai today, Mr.Ramanan said that the trough of low pressure which lay centered in the south east Bay of Bengal yesterday had moved towards south western side at 8.30 this morning. This has resulted in rains lashing several parts of the State. The Met department has forecast heavy to very heavy rains for the next 24 hours in many parts of the coastal districts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea as the sea condition is predicted to be very rough. Five persons were killed in Tuticorin yesterday when they tried to take refuge at a pumpset in the field.
Chennai and suburban areas have been hit hard by continuous rains since yesterday. Rains have inundated low lying areas and traffic chaos. Office goers in two wheelers bore the brunt of snail traffic and bumpy roads. Chennai experienced 7 cms of rain in the past 24 hours. The maximum amount of rain has been recorded at Kodavasal. Local administration has been alerted to deal with any situation arising out of heavy rains.