Contrary to what was earlier anticipated, Chennai would now escape the fury of Cyclone Phethai which is brewing in Southwest Bay of Bengal.
The cyclonic storm is now heading towards Andhra Pradesh where it would make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kakinada by the afternoon of December 17. In wake of this, majory of heavy rains would now focus over Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
However, few heavy spells also cannot be ruled out over the adjoining North Coastal Tamil Nadu. Chennai is expected record moderate showers with some heavy rains for shorter duration on December 16. The rains are likely to reduce by December 17 over the parts of Tamil Nadu but on and off rains would continue.
With peripherals of the system already reaching the coast, we can now expect cloudy sky. Rains are also likely to start making an appearance during the later parts of the day. However, sea condition along and off the coast would remain rough along with some squally winds.
Fishermen and locals are advised not to venture out in the sea for the next two days.
With this system sidelining Chennai, we now expect the state capital to continue with rainfall deficiency.
Northeast Monsoon has not performed up to the mark this season. Chennai has been battling high seasonal rainfall deficiency of over 50%. In the coming days, we do not see any powerful system coming up in Bay of Bengal, which could revive the rains over the city. Even if some system comes up, it would not be able to cover up the huge rainfall deficiency.
The ongoing Northeast Monsoon that spans from October to December is the time when the city records over 60% of its annual rainfall, with November being the rainiest. December records the least out of the three months. This time, we are afraid that city might not able to surpass its monthly average.
Cyclone Phethai was the only hope wherein in city could have recorded some heavy but with system tracking north-northwest, those hopes have also doomed away.
Image Credits – NEWSJIZZ
Any information taken from here should be credited to Skymet Weather
