Weather system to cross T.N., Puducherry coasts as a cyclonic storm on November 30-OxBig News Network

Rains lash several parts of Chennai on Friday
| Photo Credit: M. Vedhan

Fairly widespread rainfall may cover north Tamil Nadu until Saturday (November 30, 2024), and there is a possibility of extremely heavy downpour at isolated places in five districts of the State and Puducherry on Friday (November 29, 2024). A red weather alert has been issued in Chennai and neighbouring districts on Saturday.

The weather system is consolidating itself and is likely to bring heavy rainfall over north Tamil Nadu till Saturday, the Western Ghats districts, and interior parts of the State from December 1 to December 3.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, has updated that the deep depression will intensify into a cyclonic storm by Friday afternoon and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram, close to Puducherry, as a cyclonic storm by Saturday afternoon. It would have a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph during landfall.

The weather agency had earlier said the system would weaken and cross the Tamil Nadu coast as a depression.

According to the RMC bulletin, the weather disturbance lies over Southwest Bay of Bengal, about 300 km east of Nagapattinam, 340 east-southeast of Puducherry, and 380 km southeast of Chennai.

Rain gauges in Kathivakkam, Chennai Collector office, and DGP office recorded 6 cm each — the heaviest rainfall in the State as of 8.30 a.m. on Friday.

Red alert in some coastal districts

The RMC has maintained the red weather alert on Friday and Saturday for some coastal districts.

On Friday, extremely heavy rainfall may occur in isolated places of Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal areas. Various other districts have been issued orange and yellow weather alerts as they are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.

On the day of the cyclone’s landfall, seven coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and neighbouring districts, and Puducherry may receive intense rainfall or even torrential downpour.

Delta districts and north interior districts, too, have prospects of receiving heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday.

Chennai will experience a chill weather as the day temperature is set to drop to 23-24 degree Celsius on Saturday. Gale winds of speed gusting up to 90 kmph is likely to prevail over seven districts, including Chennai and Cuddalore, on Saturday. Strong winds may blow over other north Tamil Nadu districts and the delta region.