Tamil Nadu braces for heavy rainfall due to deep depression
What's the story
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu as a low-pressure area formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal on Tuesday morning. The weather system is expected to move west-northwestward and intensify into a deep depression over the south and west-central Bay of Bengal within 36 hours, according to an alert by the IMD.
Rainfall forecast
Waterlogging concerns in Chennai
The Chennai Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts on Tuesday and Wednesday. These include Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Cuddalore. It has also issued a similar forecast for the Puducherry and Karaikal areas. The IMD has also noted concerns about waterlogging in low-lying areas of Chennai and its suburbs due to the heavy rain forecast.
Monsoon update
Heavy rainfall recorded in Tuticorin, Burliar, Periyakulam
The northeast monsoon has intensified more than anticipated due to a twin weather system in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. This has led to heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, including Tuticorin, where over 8cm of rain fell overnight, leaving several low-lying pockets inundated and water entering homes in parts of the city. The Regional Meteorological Centre reported Burliar and Periyakulam received around 9-10cm of rain each.
Weather alert
Fishermen warned against venturing into sea
Officials have said that several key reservoirs across Tamil Nadu are now at near-full capacity due to the continuous rainfall. Squally weather with wind speeds of 45-55km/h, gusting up to 65km/h, is likely along the Tamil Nadu coast till October 24. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea during this period. Chief Minister M K Stalin has reviewed rain preparedness with district collectors and said that state machinery is fully prepared to tackle any eventuality.