Heavy rain predicted over South TN, Pondy in next 24-48 hrs

The active Northeast monsoon and formation of a trough in Bay of Bengal would bring heavy rains over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry in the next 24 to 48 hours, the Met office said here today.

Met officials said rain or thundershowers would occur at most places over Lakshadweep, many places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and coastal Karnataka and at a few places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh during this period.

For Chennai, the sky would be cloudy and there might be a few spells of thundershowers in the next 24 to 48 hours, they said.

The highest amounts of rainfall recorded in the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 AM today were at Kodavasal (12 cm), Myladuthurai, Anaikarai and Tiruchendur (all 11 cms).

Villupuram district received the least rainfall of 1 cm.

Meanwhile, Minister for Highways and Minor Ports Edappadi K Palaniswami held a review meeting to take stock of damaged roads and highways in Tamil Nadu and directed officials to expedite repairs, an official release said.

In Chennai, water was being drained out from 18 submerged subways using motors while 30 teams have been formed to take measures on a war footing, it said.

Traffic on the Kodaikanal-Pazhani route which was disrupted due to landslides has been repaired, it said.

Palaniswami also directed officials to ensure that workers are available round-the-clock to ensure that traffic does not get affected due to uprooting of trees or due to landslides, the release said.