Heavy Rainfall and Rough Seas Forecast in Tamil Nadu; Orange and Yellow Alerts Issued
Fishermen advised to avoid sea as coastal districts brace for heavy rainfall and strong winds
Chennai, Jan 8: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has warned that a well marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression, moving west-northwest at approximately 18 kmph. The system is expected to further strengthen into a deep depression within the next 15 hours, raising the likelihood of widespread rainfall and rough sea conditions along parts of the Tamil Nadu coast.
A yellow alert has been issued for Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Karaikal for Thursday and Friday, indicating heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
RMC Chennai head B. Amudha noted that cyclonic activity in January is not uncommon. Between 1891 and 2024, 20 cyclonic disturbances, including depressions, cyclonic storms, and severe cyclonic storms, were recorded during the month.
The weather department forecasts light to moderate rain at isolated places over Tamil Nadu on January 8, with coastal districts expected to see rainfall at a few locations, while interior Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may experience isolated showers.
An orange alert has been issued for Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, and Puducherry for January 9 and 10, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, a yellow alert will remain in effect on January 10 and 11 for Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Puducherry districts.
The RMC also cautioned about squally weather along and off the Tamil Nadu coast, including the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin area. Wind speeds are expected to range between 45 kmph and 55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, from January 8 to 10. Sea conditions are forecast to be rough to very rough during the same period.
Fishermen along the Tamil Nadu coast have been advised not to venture into the sea, and those already in deep waters are urged to avoid the southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal as well as coastal waters off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal over the next two days.
