The onset of the northeast monsoon, which arrived in Chennai on Monday, has taken a heavy toll even before it intensified across Tamil Nadu, claiming at least seven lives in one day, besides damaging huts and houses around the state.
The casualties are victims of lightning strikes that came along with heavy rain that began on Sunday morning.
“The southwest monsoon is fully withdrawn from remaining parts of the country. The northeast monsoon rain has commenced over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka from Monday,” a senior Met official told Deccan Herald.
He said Chennai recorded the maximum of 10 cm rain during the last 24 hours.
Heavy rain has been lashing Tamil Nadu since Sunday, including Chennai, throwing normal life out of gear in many places. The Met department has predicted that Tamil Nadu, especially the coastal districts, would receive more downpour in the next 48 hours.
“Due to a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, heavy rain would occur along coastal districts of Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours,” the official said.
The Met official said the sea would remain very rough and heavy along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast during the next 48 hours. “Fishermen along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts are advised not to venture into the sea,” he said.
Three persons, including a woman, died in Tirunelveli district after they were struck by lightning while taking shelter near a tree. Likewise, two persons died in the Kancheepuram and Tiruvanamalai districts.
Reports from Erode and Salem districts said more than 20 houses were damaged due to heavy rain in the last 24 hours.
Schools and colleges in several coastal districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, were closed due to heavy rain that continued till late on Monday morning. Several Chennai-bound flights were delayed due to fog in the morning.
Meanwhile, Municipal Administration Minister K Munusamy, who chaired a high-level meeting, took stock of the situation and discussed relief measures with officials of various departments at the state Secretariat.