<br/>Normal life was thrown out of gear in Tamil Nadu as heavy rain lashed several parts of the region last night with weathermen predicting more rains today. Met officials said in Chennai that Southwest monsoon has been active over coastal Karnataka and Telangana and under its influence, rains or thundershowers are likely in coastal areas during the next 24 hours.<br/><br/>Fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea as strong offshore winds from Westerly direction with wind speed reaching upto 45 to 55 kilometres per hour are likely in the off shore areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.<br/><br/>Chennai recorded 19.6 millimetres of rain during the last 24 hours by 8.30 this morning.