Cyclone 'Montha' likely to form over Bay of Bengal
What's the story
Chennai and its neighboring areas are on high alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal. The system, likely to be named "Montha," is expected to bring heavy rainfall. An orange alert has been issued for Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts with very heavy rainfall expected on October 27.
Weather update
Montha expected to be named by Thailand
The IMD has said that a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression by Saturday. It is expected to strengthen into a deep depression soon after and may turn into a cyclonic storm by October 27. Wind speeds could reach 65-74km/h as the system matures, with the cyclone tentatively named Montha, meaning "fragrant flower" or "beautiful flower" in Thai.
Rain forecast
Tamil Nadu weather forecast for next few days
IMD's forecast indicates heavy showers could start as early as October 25 in parts of Tamil Nadu, including over Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpet, and Puducherry. The rains are likely to continue till October 28, with Tiruvallur and Ranipet remaining under heavy rainfall alerts. Chennai may see partly cloudy skies with light to moderate showers and thunderstorms during this period. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 30 degrees Celsius, dropping to around 24-25 degrees Celsius at night.
Rainfall prediction
What weather blogger Pradeep John said
Weather blogger Pradeep John has predicted that if the system moves further away from the Tamil Nadu coast, Chennai may only see moderate rainfall. He said, "The cyclone appears to be heading toward Andhra Pradesh, so there may not be widespread rainfall in Tamil Nadu." Local authorities are preparing for possible disruptions such as waterlogging and traffic snarls due to heavy rains.
Safety measures
Orange alert in Odisha
Fishermen have been advised against going into the sea due to expected high winds and rough conditions along the coast. The IMD has also issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in 10 districts of Odisha on October 28. For October 29, six districts in Odisha are under an orange warning for heavy rainfall, while other districts remain under yellow alerts.