The deep depression which was in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm Roanu. Before its formation as a storm, the system had given heavy rains over Chennai and adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu. In fact, many areas had recorded three-digit rain in 24 hours.
Usually, coastal areas are more prone to flooding due to their proximity with the sea. When water gets accumulated along the coast, it gets difficult for the water to exit. However, Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu were spared from the flood fury.
While the system originated in the Southeast Bay of Bengal, it moved west-northwest Bay heading towards Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. The system kept tracking westwards gaining a little latitude. The system remained slow moving and relatively mild as the proximity of landmass restricted the moisture incursion to the system affecting its growth.
Usually, whenever the storm is in close proximity with the land, entrainment starts and even drier winds from the outside reduce its intensity. While the storm was over Sri Lanka, latitudinal gains were very little.
However, as it moved abeam Chennai, it began to gain latitude. With the gain in latitude, the system gains strength in the tropics. The system is now gaining strength and re-curving. Also, as the system is more in the open waters now, it is driving more energy towards itself making conditions favourable for further intensification.
As the system is in the process of its re-curvature, the heavy rain belt has shifted towards Andhra Pradesh. Before its movement, the system did give heavy rain over the southern parts of Tamil Nadu. Now, as the system has intensified and will linger along the coastline of Andhra Pradesh for some more time, rains will be more intense over the Andhra Coast as compared to Tamil Nadu.
In fact, Andhra Pradesh has already received record-breaking rains in some areas and the rain saga is likely to continue for another 24 to 36 hours. Usually when the system recurves, rain belt sometime even covers areas that lie ahead of the system. Thus, flooding rains could lash many areas of the state.
Cyclone Roanu has ravaged Nellore where several trees and electricity poles have been uprooted. Four NDRF teams are also prepositioned in several districts of the state. Many more areas could observe a similar situation as torrential rains will continue for at least 24 hours.
Please Note: Any information picked from here should be attributed to skymetweather.com
