CHENNAI: A low-pressure area, which formed over the Bay of Bengal on Monday and may move towards Tamil Nadu coast in the next two days after intensifying, is likely to bring heavy rain to north coastal districts — from Chennai to Nagapattinam — and adjoining districts between Dec 17 and 19.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert (heavy to very heavy rainfall) for Chennai, Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Villupuram districts. The city and its three neighbours have been issued a yellow alert for heavy rain on Tuesday and Thursday.
“On Tuesday, the city and the suburbs are likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over some areas. The sky may be partly cloudy. Maximum temperature may be around 29-30 degrees Celsius and minimum temperature may be around 22-23 degrees Celsius,” an IMD bulletin said.
Blogger Pradeep John said the low pressure may not bring any rainfall to central and south coastal districts which witnessed heavy rainfall last week.
“The heavy rainfall will be pushed to Chennai if there is a delay in the incoming westerly trough. If the trough comes on time, it will push heavy rainfall away from the city,” Pradeep John said in an online post.
The rain activity may further push rain records in the city, which has 98cm in Nungambakkam and 96cm in Meenambakkam, around 18cm and 17cm excess.
Since Oct 1, Chennai recorded 97cm, around 28% excess. Tamil Nadu recorded 56cm, around 37% excess. Except for Tuticorin, which has a 2% deficit, all other districts recorded excess rainfall this monsoon season.
