Heavy rains lash Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Heavy rains lashed Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu on Monday. The rainfall is predicted to intensify over the next few days.

"Heavy rains will continue in Chennai, Karaikal and Puducherry. In the next 72 hours, a cyclone is expected to hit Chennai," the MET department said.

Depression, created over southwest Bay of Bengal, will intensify into a deep depression during next 12 hours and subsequently into a cyclonic storm. It is likely to cross Tamil Nadu by Monday night. The Government has declared one day leave for schools and colleges on Monday in a district in Chennai.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea in several areas during next 48 hours. Fishermen from South Coastal Andhra Pradesh are advised not to venture into the sea while those from the northern coast are advised to be cautious while going into the sea.