Chennai, Nov 14 (PTI) Heavy rains lashed the coastal and interior districts of Tamil Nadu and, owing to the incessant showers in several parts of the state, the authorities in many districts declared a holiday for schools on Tuesday.

The sky over Chennai is likely to open up during the first heavy spell of the North-East monsoon in the state.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on November 14.

On the likely enhanced rainfall activity, the IMD said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Southeast Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours due to an upper air cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and over the South Andaman Sea.

It is likely to move west-north westwards and concentrate into a depression over West central Bay of Bengal around November 16.

The incessant rain that battered the districts, forced the authorities to declare a holiday for schools in Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Cuddalore districts. At least 15 districts including Chennai are likely to come under a heavy spell today, the forecast said.

Meanwhile, normal life was affected in Puducherry today due to incessant rains. Roads presented a near vacant look with only a few vehicles plying.

Puducherry Home Minister A Namassivayam said that all schools and colleges will be closed in Puducherry and Karaikal regions today because of squally weather and intermittent rains.

Official sources said that the Puducherry region recorded nearly 12 cm of rainfall during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen's Welfare of Puducherry in a release said that fishers were asked not to venture into the sea for two days from Tuesday because of squally weather.

The IMD has also issued an advisory in this regard, the spokesperson said. PTI JSP COR KH