Chennai: Heavy rains have disrupted normal life in many parts of Tamil Nadu. Heavy rains are lashing Tamil Nadu amid fears that a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a low pressure area.
The Chennai-based Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued weather alerts across the state, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts. According to the RMC, the weather system is currently located over the southwest Bay of Bengal and is likely to move west-northwestwards towards the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and southern Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours.
Officials said the system could intensify further, and it would only be clear by tonight whether it could intensify into a cyclonic storm. Amudha, head of the Meteorological Department’s southern region, said the depression was expected to develop into a low-pressure area over the west-central Bay of Bengal by this afternoon. “Its movement and intensity are being closely monitored. The next 12 hours will be crucial to determine whether it will turn into a cyclone,” he said.
Following the department’s forecast, a red alert has been issued for Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai districts, where extremely heavy rainfall is expected. An orange alert has been issued for 11 districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Karaikal, where very heavy rainfall is expected.
Meanwhile, the RMC has warned that heavy rains are likely in Salem, Tiruchirapalli, Vellore, Tirupattur, Dharmapuri, and Pudukottai districts. Heavy rains are predicted for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet on Wednesday, while surrounding districts such as Vellore, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Puducherry are also likely to be affected.
The RMC warned that moderate to heavy rain will continue for the next three hours in 14 districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Tirupattur and Vellore. Officials urged residents of low-lying and coastal areas to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel as the northeast monsoon intensifies across the region.
