Parts of southern Tamil Nadu may receive heavy rain on Tuesday due to the presence of a cyclonic circulation, extending up to the State’s coast. As the system, now over the Bay of Bengal, moves closer, the intensity of rainfall is expected to increase over the State from Thursday.
Also read: Moderate rain to continue in Tamil Nadu till November 24
Chennai experienced a sharp spell of showers in several parts from the early hours of Monday. It led to waterlogging in areas like T. Nagar that were returning to normalcy after an intense rainspell early November.
However, many automatic weather stations and rain gauges, including MRC Nagar, Taramani, MGR Nagar, West Tambaram, Avadi, Nungambakkam and Anna University in the city recorded only 2-3 cm of rainfall till 8.30 a.m. on Monday. Light rain continued over the city during the day too.
Also read: Data | Despite getting less rainfall than 2020, Chennai streets are waterlogged. Here is why
According to the Meteorological Department’s bulletin at 8.30 p.m., a cyclonic circulation over southeast Bay of Bengal persists. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over southwest Bay of Bengal during the next 48 hours. It is likely to move west northwestwards and cross Sri Lanka and south Tamil Nadu. A trough runs from the cyclonic circulation to the Tamil Nadu coast.
This will sustain the wet weather and bring fairly widespread and moderate rainfall over the State till Friday. Officials said it was this system that pushed thunderclouds towards the city and triggered a sharp rainspell that lasted for a few hours on Monday.
IMD has issued an orange alert for parts of the State from Thursday, as heavy to very heavy rain may occur over coastal districts, Puducherry and Karaikal.
Officials said the prevailing weather system may bring thunderstorm, with heavy rain, at isolated places over Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Madurai and Ramanathapuram districts, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Chennai too will get rainfall after Thursday. But its intensity will be clear only when the weather system moves closer. Thunderstorms are common during the northeast monsoon,” said N. Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai.
Abundant rain this month has brought in ample inflow into the State’s tanks. Of the 14,138 tanks, nearly 6,822 have touched 100% capacity, as on Monday. The 90 reservoirs across Tamil Nadu together have a storage of 206.12 thousand million cubic feet of water, which is nearly 92% of their capacity, according to the Water Resources Department.
Consistent rain has affected vegetables prices, which continue to escalate.
