CHENNAI: The northeast monsoon became fully active over the entire state as almost all districts witnessed intermittent rains throughout the day on Saturday.

From Kanyakumari to Ranipet experienced steady downpour in frequent intervals, inconveniencing festival shoppers and revellers heading to their hometown for Deepavali.

Heavy rain lashed many parts of Tamil Nadu, with the reservoirs in the south receiving copious inflows, and northern districts like Kancheepuram, Chennai, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu witnessed moderate to heavy rains, causing sudden inundation in certain places.

According to the weather office, moderate to heavy rains were expected in areas along the Western Ghats and southern districts in the next few days, while coastal regions, including Chennai, would continue to receive moderate showers.

The upper air cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area persisted over the same region, and under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area. As a result, Tamil Nadu is likely to experience moderate to heavy rain till October 22.

According to many weather bloggers’ predictions, the northeast monsoon is expected to be above normal this year in the southern peninsula.