Chennai Rains: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released the latest track of a weather system over the Bay of Bengal, warning that it is likely to cross north Sri Lanka on the afternoon of January 10 as a well-marked low-pressure area before moving towards Tamil Nadu. The system is expected to trigger widespread rainfall across coastal and delta districts over the next two days.
The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for several coastal districts, including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu, for January 10 and 11. Delta districts have been placed under an orange alert, with very heavy rainfall of 12–20 cm in 24 hours likely at isolated places.
System Intensifies, Heavy Rain Likely Across Tamil Nadu
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the weather system has intensified into a deep depression and is moving northwest at a speed of around 15 kmph. It is expected to cross the Sri Lankan coast on Friday and intensify further, bringing widespread rainfall over Tamil Nadu.
Under its influence, most parts of coastal Tamil Nadu are likely to receive light to moderate rain, while isolated areas in interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal may witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning over the next 24 to 48 hours.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Karaikal, as well as Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai districts. On Saturday, heavy rain is expected in parts of Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Puducherry and Karaikal, with isolated heavy showers also likely in Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram.
Squally Winds, Rough Seas; Fishermen Advised to Stay Ashore
The Met department has also warned of squally weather along the Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar and the adjoining Comorin area. Wind speeds are expected to range between 45 kmph and 55 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 65 kmph. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough on January 9 and 10.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period. Those already at deep sea have been asked to avoid the southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal, the adjoining East Indian Ocean, and coastal areas off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin region.
A high wave alert has also been issued for the Nagapattinam and Karaikal coastlines, with wave heights expected to range between 2.7 and 3.1 metres.
Chennai Weather Outlook
Chennai is likely to experience partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall and occasional thunderstorms over the next 24 hours, the IMD said.
