Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Chennai, Oct 22 (IANS) The deep depression over the south-west Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a well-marked low pressure area today, with many parts of Tamil Nadu receiving heavy rainfall since morning.
The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) in Chennai has issued several weather alerts across the state, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in many 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 northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and southern Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next 24 hours.
Officials said that the system may strengthen further and it will be clear only by tonight whether it can turn into a cyclonic storm.
Amudha, head of the meteorological department’s southern region, said the center of pressure is expected to develop into a low pressure area over the adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal by today afternoon.
“Its activity and intensity is being closely monitored. The next 12 hours will be crucial in determining whether the system turns into a cyclone or not,” 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 likely.
Orange alert has been issued for 11 districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Karaikal, where very heavy rainfall is likely.
Meanwhile, the RMC warned that heavy rains are expected in Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Tirupattur, Dharmapuri and Pudukottai districts.
On Wednesday, heavy rainfall has been predicted in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallar and Ranipet, while nearby districts like Vellore, Trupattur, Truvanmalai, Vilpuram, Vilpuram, Volpuram, Kattu will be affected.
In its latest update, 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.
Authorities have urged residents of low-lying and coastal areas to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel as the northeast monsoon has intensified across the region.
–IANS
AL/DPB