Rains on Friday continued to batter several parts of Tamil Nadu under the influence of an active North-East monsoon as the toll in rain-related incidents in the state stood at 48. Normal life was thrown out of gear with heavy rains pounding Chennai, suburbs and neighbouring districts since Thursday night. Arterial roads including Anna Salai, Poonamallee High Road and GST Road in the city came under sheets of water hitting vehicular movement. The inundation in the downtown areas around Fort St George, Chennai Central Railway Station, Office of the Commissioner of Police and Kilpauk was heavy.