With the onset of North East Monsoon, Tamil Nadu is all set to get the first spell of rains this season.

According to the Regional Met Department, the low-pressure area prevailing over the Southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to become a well marked low-pressure area and move west northwestwards towards North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next two days.

Due to the ongoing activity in the Bay of Bengal, widespread heavy rains will continue in many places over the Coastal area and certain parts of some inner districts.

Akashvani’s correspondent reports, heavy rainfall warning has been given to coastal districts from Chennai to Villupuram till the 18th of this month. Continuous downpour accompanied with lightning and thunder was witnessed in Chennai , Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and other areas.

The State Government has been fully geared up to meet any eventuality arising out of the present situation. As rains measuring more than 21 cms are likely tomorrow and the day after, eight teams of NDRF personnel, SDRF and other related departments are kept ready.

People living in low-lying areas have been asked to move out to safer places. Normal life has been thrown out of gear as people have been asked to stay indoors. Educational institutions have been given a holiday and IT employees have been advised to work from home.

Many people living in Velachery, one of the vulnerable places of flooding in Chennai, took to parking their cars on the bridge yesterday evening creating traffic jams.

The Government has advised people not to panic and spread rumours in social media. A 24 x7 control room is in place and the public has been asked to dial 1913 in case of emergency. The district administration in vulnerable areas has been advised to take pre-emptive action.