According to a recent forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may experience more heavy rainfall in the coming days. Chennai and its surrounding areas have been grappling with heavy rain for the past two days, disrupting normal life and causing significant inconvenience to the public.
Weather Forecast: Light to Moderate Rainfall Expected
The IMD issued a weather bulletin on Thursday predicting light to moderate rainfall, with thunderstorms and lightning expected at one or two locations across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Karaikal region from Thursday until Sunday. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in isolated areas of Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, and Erode districts on Friday.
Impact on Chennai and Surrounding Areas
In Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts, heavy to very heavy rain on Thursday led to waterlogging, stagnation, and traffic congestion. The continued downpour on Wednesday brought knee-deep water to residential neighborhoods and major roads, disrupting public transport services and causing difficulties for commuters.
Depression Over Bay of Bengal Weakens
The depression over the West Central and adjoining South-West Bay of Bengal moved west-northwest at 14 km/h during the past six hours. It crossed the north of Tamil Nadu and the south of Andhra Pradesh coasts, near the latitude of 13.5° N and longitude 80.2° E, around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday. It has since weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over the south coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north coastal Tamil Nadu.
The IMD has stated that the depression will continue to move west-northwest and weaken further over the next 12 hours.
Alerts and Warnings
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) downgraded the Red alert for Chennai and neighboring districts to an orange alert, expecting moderate rainfall in these regions. However, northern Tamil Nadu remains at risk of heavy rain. The IMD warned of possible heavy rainfall in isolated places over the Ghat areas of Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts and other parts like Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, and Perambalur districts on Sunday.
Thunderstorms and Lightning Likely
Thunderstorms with lightning are expected to occur at one or two locations in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal area from Thursday until Monday, according to the IMD.
Future Weather Outlook: New Low-Pressure System
The IMD also issued a warning about a fresh low-pressure area likely to form over the Central Bay of Bengal around October 22. Additionally, an upper air cyclonic circulation is expected to develop over the North Andaman Sea around October 20. This system may intensify and move northwestward, potentially affecting the region in the days to come.
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