Northeast monsoon arrives in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep and coastal Andhra Pradesh, snowfall in Himachal and Kashmir - News Roundup (15 to 31 October 2011)

The monsoon has become active in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep and parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. There are also reports of heavy rainfall in parts of Karnataka. At the same time, news from the north in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir includes reports of a cold wave and rains and the first snowfall of the season.

Northeast monsoon

• Northeast monsoon active over Kerala and Tamil Nadu: Heavy rainfall expected over parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep and coastal Andhra Pradesh
• Global model forecasts show entire coastal Tamil Nadu and the area around the Cape into south Kerala, resembling a ‘ring of fire’: Moderate to strong northeast monsoon in action through the week
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) projects heavy rainfall to continue to lash parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep: Elongated area of lower pressure extending from south coastal Tamil Nadu to north coastal Andhra Pradesh persists

Tamil Nadu

• Heavy rains lash parts of Tamil Nadu: This is following a trough of low pressure from Gulf of Mannar to Andhra Pradesh
• Rain continues to lash different parts of Tamil Nadu: Educational institutions in various parts of the state remain closed
• Torrential rains claim three lives in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu: People in low lying areas and places vulnerable to landslides to be shifted to safer places
• Rains lash Chennai in Tamil Nadu: Water logging reported in many parts of the city
• North-east monsoon showers lash Chennai in Tamil Nadu: Showers likely to intensify over the next week throughout the state
• Water released from the Red Hills reservoir in Chennai as a precautionary measure: Storage level touched capacity following good inflow from the catchment areas
• Heavy rains lash Puducherry: The banks of a lake breaches and water enters houses
• Health wing of Madurai Corporation puts on alert 17 Rapid Response Teams comprising emergency medical teams to tackle rain-related health problems
• Coimbatore district experiences less rain inspite of overcast skies: Water level at Thirumoorthy dam at 28.36 feet against the total height of 60 feet

Kerala

• Strong winds lash Chellanam Harbour in Kochi in Kerala: Two anchored fishing boats damaged due to crashing against the sea wall

Karnataka

• Coastal Karnataka experiences cloudy weather and rains: More rains expected in the region according to the Met department
• Heavy rains with strong winds and lightning lash Mysore and neighbouring districts in Karnataka: Damage to houses and crops reported in Hunsur taluk

Snowfall

• Fresh snowfall triggers cold wave in Himachal Pradesh
• Rain and moderate snowfall in the Valley heralds an early winter in Jammu and Kashmir this year: Higher reaches of the Himalayas receive moderate snowfall on Sunday
• Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh gets season's first snowfall: Widespread rain also reported in some parts of the district
• Cold wave grips Kashmir valley: State receives season's first snowfall