More rains likely as low pressure trough extends

CHENNAI: The trough of low pressure which continued to extend from Sri Lanka to West Central Bay of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Saturday is likely to bring more rains in most parts of Tamil Nadu in the next 24 hours.According to the Regional Meterological Centre here, the presence of the trough is likely to bring heavy rains in the coastal regions of the State. The interior areas of Tamil Nadu are also likely to experience showers over the next 24 hours.Over the past 24 hours, several towns in the State experienced heavy rainfall including Coonoor (9 cm) and Jayamkondam (8 cm).On Saturday, Chennai recorded a rainfall of 33.3 mm at Nungambakkam and 41.8 mm at Meenambakkam from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.The intermittent rains that began by noon left many arterial roads inundated. For instance, the stretch from Kathipara grade separator to the Ekkaduthangal over bridge, several portions of the Jawaharlal Nehru Road from Vadapalai to Koyambedu Junction were under sheets of water.Similarly, the Valluvar Kottam High Road and the Dasaprakash intersection on Poonamallee High Road were affected. Also, interior roads like the Link Road connecting Guindy with Adambakkam was flooded.To make matters worse, several stretches of important roads were washed away by rains like the Valluvar Kottam Road. Now, it has many craters slowing down the movement of traffic.On Sunday, the maximum and minimum temperature in Chennai is likely to be around 30 and 23 degree Celsius respectively.