Heavy rain in Chennai from tomorrow as Bay depression moves towards Tamil Nadu; IMD issues orange alert

CHENNAI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released the latest track of a weather system over the Bay of Bengal, warning that it may cross north Sri Lanka on the afternoon of January 10 as a well-marked low-pressure area before moving towards Tamil Nadu.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 over the next two days.According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the system has intensified into a deep depression and is moving northwest at a speed of about 15 km per hour. It is expected to cross the Sri Lankan coast on Friday and intensify further, triggering widespread rainfall over Tamil Nadu.Under the influence of the system, most parts of coastal Tamil Nadu are likely to receive light to moderate rain. Isolated areas in interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal may experience 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 at isolated locations in Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Puducherry and Karaikal, while some places in Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram may also receive heavy showers.The Met department has also warned of squally weather along the Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar and the adjoining Comorin area, with wind speeds ranging between 45 kmph and 55 kmph and gusts reaching up to 65 kmph. Sea conditions are expected 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 is likely to witness partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall and occasional thunderstorms over the next 24 hours.