<div>Normal life in Tamil Nadu was hit by isolated heavy rains that lashed almost the entire state since Sunday night except Chennai. <br /><br />Heavy rains hit more than 25 districts as the southwest monsoon, which has been active in the southern region, intensified to trigger further rains in the next two days, according to weather forecasts. The downpour has increased the water levels in several important reservoirs critical to irrigate farmlands.<br /><br />“Due to convective activity over the entire State, heavy rain is expected to occur across many districts in the next 48 hours,” a senior Meteorological department official said.<br /><br />A weather bulletin released on Monday evening said thundershowers would occur over southern Tamil Nadu, while isolated rains may occur over Kerala.<br /><br />Venbavur in Perambalur district and the whole of Thanjavur region received 14 cm rains in the last 24 hours, while Odanchatram in Dindigul district recorded 13 cm rains. <br /><br />Rains are rapidly filling up reservoirs close to or on the Western Ghats, with important ones such as Mullaperiyar, Vaigai, Sholayar and Aliyar recording healthy inflow, while arrival of water at Manimuthar dam across Tamirabarani in Tirunelveli is steady.<br /><br />Inflow<br />The inflow in other dams in southern region, including Bhavanisagar, Papanasam, Sholayar and Parambikulam, has also increased in the last couple of days.<br /><br />Inflow into the Mettur dam, however, has declined in the last few days with the water levels at the Stanley dam standing at 70 feet.<br /><br />The prevailing rains and gusty winds have also uprooted banana crops due for cultivation across several acres in Erode district, causing substantial loss to farmers.<br /><br />Rains this year have given a wide berth to Chennai, leaving important water bodies supplying drinking water to the city dry and depleted.<br /><br />Low water levels<br />Water levels in Poondi, Sholavaram, Redhills, Chembarampakkam and Veeranam continue to remain lower than levels seen during the last season. Meanwhile, the depression over east-central Arabian Sea seen on Sunday moved west-northwest and weakened into a well-marked low pressure over the same area. <br /><br />“It will move in west-northwesterly direction away from the Indian coast and weaken gradually further,” the Met official said.<br /><br />The Met department advised ports in Karnataka and Kerala to hoist storm warning signals.<br /></div>
<div>Normal life in Tamil Nadu was hit by isolated heavy rains that lashed almost the entire state since Sunday night except Chennai. <br /><br />Heavy rains hit more than 25 districts as the southwest monsoon, which has been active in the southern region, intensified to trigger further rains in the next two days, according to weather forecasts. The downpour has increased the water levels in several important reservoirs critical to irrigate farmlands.<br /><br />“Due to convective activity over the entire State, heavy rain is expected to occur across many districts in the next 48 hours,” a senior Meteorological department official said.<br /><br />A weather bulletin released on Monday evening said thundershowers would occur over southern Tamil Nadu, while isolated rains may occur over Kerala.<br /><br />Venbavur in Perambalur district and the whole of Thanjavur region received 14 cm rains in the last 24 hours, while Odanchatram in Dindigul district recorded 13 cm rains. <br /><br />Rains are rapidly filling up reservoirs close to or on the Western Ghats, with important ones such as Mullaperiyar, Vaigai, Sholayar and Aliyar recording healthy inflow, while arrival of water at Manimuthar dam across Tamirabarani in Tirunelveli is steady.<br /><br />Inflow<br />The inflow in other dams in southern region, including Bhavanisagar, Papanasam, Sholayar and Parambikulam, has also increased in the last couple of days.<br /><br />Inflow into the Mettur dam, however, has declined in the last few days with the water levels at the Stanley dam standing at 70 feet.<br /><br />The prevailing rains and gusty winds have also uprooted banana crops due for cultivation across several acres in Erode district, causing substantial loss to farmers.<br /><br />Rains this year have given a wide berth to Chennai, leaving important water bodies supplying drinking water to the city dry and depleted.<br /><br />Low water levels<br />Water levels in Poondi, Sholavaram, Redhills, Chembarampakkam and Veeranam continue to remain lower than levels seen during the last season. Meanwhile, the depression over east-central Arabian Sea seen on Sunday moved west-northwest and weakened into a well-marked low pressure over the same area. <br /><br />“It will move in west-northwesterly direction away from the Indian coast and weaken gradually further,” the Met official said.<br /><br />The Met department advised ports in Karnataka and Kerala to hoist storm warning signals.<br /></div>
