NE monsoon sets in; heavy rains predicted in next 24 hrs

Chennai gets highest rainfall of 18 cm in last 24 hours to 8.30 AM, followed by Papanasam in Tirunelveli and Puducherry

The northeast monsoon on Saturday set in over South India, bringing its first spell of rains. The MeT department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala in the next 24 hours.

“While the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the remaining arts of the region, the northeast monsoon has simultaneously commenced over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on October 18,” a bulletin from the MeT office said.

Chennai received the highest rainfall of 18 cm in the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Saturday.

For the next three days, rain or thundershowers would occur at most places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and at many places over Lakshadweep, coastal and South interior Karnataka and south coastal Andhra Pradesh, the release said.

In Chennai and its neighbourhood, the sky would be generally cloudy and there may be a few spells of rain or thundershowers in the next 24-48 hours, it said.