Chennai witnesses worst May rains in 5 years, heavy rainfall predicted in parts of South India

Chennai: Heavy rainfall will continue in Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the next 48 hours, said the weather department. Chennai is waterlogged, and has received 101mm of rainfall since Tuesday, reported CNN News18. Chennai is facing its worst May rainfall in five years, and has affected the voter turnout in Chennai and South Tamil Nadu, the report added. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression over southwest Bay of Bengal has moved to 90 km east of Chennai and 70 km of the coast. [caption id=“attachment_2786308” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Rains will continue in coastal Tamil Nadu. Image courtesy: IMD[/caption] It is expected to move north-northeastwards and intensify into a deep depression and further into a cyclonic storm over the next 48 hours. Rainfall is also predicted over south coastal and interior Tamil Nadu durning the next 24 hours. Similarly, heavy rainfall is predicted over south Andhra Pradesh coast during the next 48 hours. According to the IMD, wind speed reaching 55-65 km per hour gusting to 75 km per hour would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 24 hours and south Andhra Pradesh coast during next 48 hours. South Kerala too has been issued a thunderstorm warning.

#ChennaiRains | Waterlogging in Chennai due to heavy rains (ANI) pic.twitter.com/JPba1nts7T

— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 18, 2016

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea as sea condition will be very rough during the next 48 hours. Meanwhile the Tamil Nadu government has deputed senior officers to areas that may experience heavy rainfall to oversee precautionary measures. In Chennai, sewage lines have started overflowing in many areas due to the intermittent rains putting the residents into difficulty.   With inputs from agencies