One killed as heavy rain batters TN

Normal life was severely affected in Tamil Nadu as heavy rain battered the entire state since Sunday night due to a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal.

One person was killed in Thanjavur district in a rain-related incident. The weather office has predicted thundershowers during the next two days.

"The cyclonic circulation now lies over southwest Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka and extends up to 3.6 km above mean sea level. Under this influence, heavy to very heavy rain is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala during the next 48 hours," Deputy Director, General Meteorology, Dr S Balachandran said on Monday.

Since the northeast monsoon is active over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, a thunderstorm with lightning is likely to occur in isolated areas.

Fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea as it would be rough with strong winds from northeasterly to easterly direction with speed reaching 45-55 kmph along and off the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

Chennai has been receiving heavy rain since Monday morning with inundation in several areas. In several places, commuters had to wade through knee-deep water.

Nagapattinam district received a maximum rainfall of 90 mm during the last 24 hours followed by Kancheepuram, which registered 50 mm downpour during the same period.

The Tamil Nadu government has set up multipurpose evacuation shelters across the state at a cost of Rs 345 crore.

These shelters are designed with separate rooms for accommodation, medical examination and arrangement for sanitation.

In addition, kitchen facilities are provided in the shelters which can accommodate 500 to 2,000 people.