"Conditions are favourable for the commencement of northeast monsoon rainfall over Tamil Nadu and Kerala and adjoining areas of south Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka during next 24 hours," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a bulletin.
The southern parts of the country -- Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Kerala and south interior Karnataka, receive about 30 per cent of its annual rainfall during the northeast monsoon season between October and December.
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IMD forecast "most likely above normal" rainfall during the northeast monsoon this year.
"The probability of above normal 2015 northeast monsoon season rainfall over south peninsula and over Tamil Nadu is 88 per cent and 90 per cent respectively," it said.
Rains lashed in many parts of the state, with Vallam (Thanjavur district) recording the highest of 9 cms.
According to the daily rainfall data, recorded till 8.30 AM today, released by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Tambaram (Kancheepuram district) and Mettupalayam (Coimbatore district) received 7 cms each followed by Chembarambakkam (Tiruvallore) with 5 cms.
Many places in other districts of the state including Erode, Tirunvelveli, Villupuram, Ramanathapuram, Tiruvarur and Puthukottai received showers.