Schools in 3 TN districts to remain closed due to heavy rains

As the North East monsoon set in over parts of South India on Thursday, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu have been receiving heavy rains, due to which schools in those districts will remain closed on Friday.

Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, S Balachandran on Thursday told that there could be excess rainfall during north east monsoon this year.

"North east monsoon rains have commenced over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, south Tamil Nadu, southern Kerala and southern coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh," he said.

The monsoon will cover the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Rayalaseema and southern Karnataka starting Friday, he added.

Tamil Nadu is dependent on the crucial north east monsoon as it brings the bulk of the annual rainfall in the state.

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the long period average rainfall for Tamil Nadu during the north east monsoon stretching between October and December was 44 cm and this time there could be an excess rainfall.

The forecast was for an "above normal" monsoon, it said adding "there are still two months left."

Balachandran predicted showers in most parts of the state and Puducherry on November 2 and 3, while heavy rain was likely in one or two places in coastal districts.

There would be occasional spells of rains or thundershowers in Chennai and its suburbs, he added.