Heavy rain hits normal life in coastal Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Torrential rain has disrupted normal life in southern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kannyakumari, with Rameswaram recording highest rainfall in the state of 7 cm.

The Met office has forecast isolated heavy rain in southern districts for the next 24 hours because of trough of low pressure in southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Lanka. Northeast Monsoon has been active in southern coastal districts of the state.

Rainwater has entered low-lying areas in Thoothukudi.

Six teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 210 personnel are kept ready for emergency help near Thamaraparani river, while in Thoothukudi, 83 relief camps have been set up.

Rain has hit normal life in Tirunelveli, where roads are inundated. In Kannya Kumari, boat services to Vivekananda Rock and Tiruvalluvar statue have been suspended as sea is rough.

The met office has warned that there will be strong northeasterly wind blowing at a speed of around 55 kmph.

Fishermen in Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Kanniya Kumari and Sathurangapatnam in Chengalpattu did not venture out for fishing because of stormy winds and rough sea.

Nagai fishermen returned mid way because of rough sea and strong waves.

—ANI