Chennai, June. 19: Several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, witnessed heavy rain and thundershowers on Monday. The state government has declared holiday for schools in rain-ravaged Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur and Ranipet districts.
Widespread rain was recorded across Chennai on Sunday night. India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that 137.6 mm of rain was recorded in Meenambakkam from 8.30 am on Sunday to 5.30 am on Monday. This is the highest rainfall in June since last 27 years. In 1996, the rainfall in June was 282.2 mm.
Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) at Taramani and Nandanam recorded about 12 cm of rain followed by 11 cm at Chembarambakkam. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, moderate rain with thunder and lightning will occur in several parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Monday.
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain in 13 districts including Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Myladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Trichy, Ariyalur, Perambalur. Moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur over some parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from Tuesday to Thursday.
Also, more than six international flights bound for Chennai were diverted to Bangalore due to heavy rains. More than 12 international flights have been delayed due to rain.
