TN’s coastal districts may get heavy rain by end of week

CHENNAI: The intensity of rain that lashed western districts may reduce from Tuesday before the monsoon activity shifts to coastal and adjoining districts by the end of this week when a cyclonic circulation may approach the coast. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for nine districts on Nov 8 and 9 and for 15 districts on Nov 10, as these districts may receive heavy rainfall of 6 cm to 12 cm in 24 hours.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Chengalpet, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, and Ramanathapuram districts as well as the Puducherry and Karaikal areas on Nov 8 and 9. Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Ramanathapuram and Dindigul districts, along with the Karaikal area, may receive heavy rain on Nov 10.

"Right now, the models show different forecasts. There is a possibility for Chennai to receive heavy rainfall; we will know it in one or two days," said N Senthamarai Kannan, director, regional weather forecasting centre, IMD.

At present, there is a trough from the southeast Bay of Bengal to south Tamil Nadu. Meteorologists said the trough may break away, which may reduce rainfall intensity starting Tuesday. In three days, it may intensify again into a cyclonic circulation and may move towards the Tamil Nadu coast, bringing rain.

"Once the circulation forms over the southeast Bay of Bengal, it will move towards the southwest direction. It may bring heavy spells over many coastal areas; Chennai may receive moderate rainfall," said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet Weather.

For the next 48 hours, Chennai and its suburbs may receive light rainfall over some areas. Skies may be partly cloudy. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33°C and 25-26°C.

Since Oct 1, Tamil Nadu has received 24 cm, around 20% excess. Coimbatore, which received heavy spells in the last few days, recorded 40 cm of rainfall, around 110% excess. Tirupattur recorded 29 cm, around 93% excess, and Tiruppur 30 cm, around 80% excess. Chennai recorded 39 cm, around 19% above normal.