Tamil Nadu weather alert: Heavy rains forecast till Jan14, frost warning for Nilgiris & Kodaikanal
A Deep Depression east of Sri Lanka is moving northwest, raising rain prospects for Tamil Nadu. The system may approach northeast Sri Lanka before weakening toward coastal Tamil Nadu. Widespread heavy to very heavy rain is expected along the coast, with Chennai and suburbs facing chances of isolated extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.
Chennai: The Chennai Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts today, and a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, and Mayiladuthurai, as a deep depression intensifies over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to cross the Sri Lankan coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai by this evening or night.
The deep depression is currently situated about 410 km east-southeast of Hambantota, Sri Lanka, and approximately 980 km south-southeast of Chennai. According to the IMD, it is likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal over the next 36 hours.
Tamil Nadu weather report: Extended rainfall forecast
The department has forecast moderate rainfall at many places in coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, and at a few places in interior Tamil Nadu from today until January 14. This extended wet spell is expected to affect agricultural and travel plans across the region.
Frost Warning for Hill StationsSeparately, a frost warning has been issued for one or two places in the Nilgiris district and Kodaikanal (Dindigul district) during the early morning hours of today or tomorrow. Residents and travelers in these hilly areas are advised to take necessary precautions against the cold.
Chennai weather forecast
While the city is not under an alert, moderate rainfall is possible in some parts of Chennai today. Authorities have advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea and have urged residents in low-lying and alert zones to stay updated with official forecasts.
The alert comes amid an already active Northeast Monsoon season, with the state having received above-average rainfall in recent weeks. District administrations in the alert zones are likely to be on standby to manage any waterlogging or related disruptions.