The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant weather warning for coastal Tamil Nadu, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days. This comes as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensifies and moves towards the coast.
System Track and Expected Landfall
According to the latest bulletin from the Regional Meteorological Centre, the weather system has now intensified into a deep depression. It is currently moving in a northwesterly direction at a speed of approximately 15 kilometres per hour. The system is expected to cross the north coast of Sri Lanka by the afternoon of January 10 as a well-marked low-pressure area, before proceeding towards Tamil Nadu.
District-Wise Rainfall Warnings and Alerts
The IMD has placed several districts under a heavy rainfall warning for January 10 and 11. Coastal districts including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu are expected to be impacted.
An orange alert has been declared for the delta districts, indicating a high likelihood of very heavy rainfall measuring between 12 to 20 centimetres within a 24-hour period.
The forecast for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall includes:
- January 10: Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, and Mayiladuthurai.
- January 11 (Saturday): Isolated heavy rain in Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Puducherry, and Karaikal. Heavy showers are also likely in parts of Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, and Ramanathapuram.
Most coastal areas will see light to moderate rain, while isolated parts of interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal may experience thunderstorms with lightning.
Coastal and Marine Hazards
The Met department has issued a stern warning regarding squally weather conditions along the Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar, and the adjoining Comorin area. Wind speeds are predicted to range from 45 to 55 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 65 kmph.
Sea conditions will be rough to very rough on January 9 and 10. In light of this, the IMD has strongly advised fishermen not to venture into the sea. Those already out in deep sea have been instructed 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 separate high wave alert has been issued for the Nagapattinam and Karaikal coastlines, where wave heights are expected to be between 2.7 and 3.1 metres.
For Chennai, the forecast suggests partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall and the possibility of occasional thunderstorms over the next 24 hours. Residents across the warned districts are advised to stay updated with official IMD alerts and take necessary precautions.
