Schools shut as heavy rains lash Chennai

Sharp showers continued to lash many parts of Tamil Nadu, including capital Chennai, resulting in water-logging in many areas and forcing closure of schools in the city even as the weather office forecast more rains.

Authorities declared a holiday for schools on Monday in Chennai, which witnessed heavy downpour in the morning, after spells of rain on Sunday.

Several low-lying areas and roads were inundated and office-goers had a tough time reaching their destination.

Traffic in some parts, including the busy Velachery area, moved at a slow pace following inundation.

In many areas, motorists and pedestrians were seen carefully negotiating potholes on the roads, many of which had been damaged due to the monsoon fury.

The weather office said a low pressure area would form in the southeast Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours commencing 0830 hrs, warning of more rain in different parts of the state.

"Moderate to rather heavy rain would occur at many places over all the districts of Coastal Tamil Nadu and Puduchery," it said.

Rain also continued to lash many other parts of the state including Tiruchirappalli, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur.

A report from Erode said vegetable wholesale traders and retail dealers were affected as they could not transport the produce from villages to town areas.

Inspite of the rain, educational institutions remained open in Erode district and parents were seen escorting their children in water-logged areas.