The Northeast Monsoon continues unabated over Tamil Nadu, bringing heavy rainfall to several districts and further paralyzing the southern state. Several trains were canceled as the downpours piled up misery with many landslides and boulders, mud and uprooted trees falling on the railway tracks, disrupting operations on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
According to a report by news agency ANI, “Train No. 56136 Mettupalayam – Udagamandalam, Train No. 56137 Udagamandalam – Mettupalayam and Train No. 06171 Mettupalayam – Udagamandalam special train of Nilgiri Mountain Railways have been canceled for today.”
As many as 40 places witnessed heavy rains, according to the India Meteorological Department. The meteorologist further said that the widespread rainfall was caused by a low pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea and the Lakshadweep region.
Fishermen from Cuddalore district who are currently engaged in deep sea fishing have been instructed to return to the shore immediately.
RMC predicts widespread rain and thundershowers in Tamil Nadu
The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) has predicted light to moderate rain accompanied by thundershowers in Tamil Nadu for the next 24 hours. Isolated heavy showers are expected in Nilgiris and Coimbatore ghats, while other districts like Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Madurai, Sivaganga, Tiruchy, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram and northern areas including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Ranipet are also likely to see heavy rainfall.
Between October 20 and 23, several parts of the state — particularly the delta region, northern coastal belts and the Western Ghats — were under various categories of heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings.
In Chennai, skies are expected to remain generally cloudy with occasional light to heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. Daytime temperatures are likely to remain around 26°C to 27°C, about four degrees below normal, providing a much-needed respite from the recent heatwave.
Meanwhile, fishermen have been warned not to venture into the Gulf of Mannar, south coast of Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep waters and the adjacent southeast Arabian Sea for the next 48 hours due to strong winds.
