Northeast monsoon active in South; more rain forecast for November 3

Chennai: With northeast monsoon active over Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states, rains lashed many parts of south India even as the weather office has forecast more rains for Tuesday.

"Rain/thundershowers occurred at most places over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry; at many places over Kerala; at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Lakshadweep, coastal and south interior Karnataka," India Meterological Department (IMD) said in a bulletin today.

Heavy rains occurred at isolated places over Tamil Nadu between 8.30 am yesterday and 5.30 am today, it said.

In its forecast for tomorrow, IMD said heavy rain would occur at isolated places over south interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, cloudy skies were witnessed in the morning here even as low-lying areas in many parts of the city were inundated with rain water. 

Meanwhile, many schools in Chennai and nearby areas have been closed today as a precautionary measure following heavy rains.

To avert incidents of dengue, authorities have swung into action to prevent water clogging and mosquito breeding.

According to an official, stagnant water is being cleared from roads in the city early morning before office hours.

The ongoing northeast monsoon accounts for about 48 percent of the annual rainfall for Tamil Nadu.

Coastal districts of the state get nearly 60 percent of the annual rainfall and the interior districts about 40-50 percent of the annual rainfall during this season.

There were reports of heavy rains in many parts of the state last night and this morning.