It has been raining in Tamil Nadu for two weeks now.
The number of deaths in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu has gone up to 176. It has been raining in the state for the last two weeks and more rain has been forecast in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Seven more deaths were reported from across the state since yesterday, while there was a let up in rainfall in most areas of the state since last evening, including Chennai.
Five people died yesterday while two deaths were reported from the state today.
The meteorological department said rain or thundershowers would occur at a few places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep in the next 24-48 hours.
For Chennai and its neighbourhood, skies would be cloudy and there may be rain or thundershowers in some areas, it said.
Papanasam in Tiruneveli district received heavy rainfall of 10 cm, while Rameswaram, Cheranmahadevi and Coonoor received least rainfall of one cm each, the Met office said.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa condoled the death of seven persons and announced a compensation of Rs four lakh each to their next of kin from the disaster relief fund.
The chief minister had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 23, pegging the flood damage at Rs 8,481 crore, and urged him to immediately release Rs 2,000 crore to sustain relief work.