On the expected lines and as predicted, the state of Tamil Nadu has been lashed with heavy to very heavy rains, since yesterday. Rains are continuing today as well. The coastline from Chennai to Tuticorin has received heavy showers disrupting communication and normal life. The administration had earlier ordered the closure of schools and advised tourists to lay off their planned tour along the coastal stations and hilly resorts of Ooty and Kodaikanal. With the sea condition being rough, the fishermen have also been advised to suspend activity and await clearance. Some of the flights have been diverted due to inclement weather conditions.
The well-marked low-pressure area over the Palk Strait- Gulf of Mannar has further moved eastward. The Northern half of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coastline has been battered with heavy to very heavy rains. The prominent locations with rainfall amounts were: Nungambakkam-74mm, Cuddalore-63mm, Tondi-63mm and Meenambakkam-58mm. Chennai and Delta region has braced the brunt of heavy weather during the past 24 hours. Chennai, Karaikal, Atiramapattinam and Nagappattinam continue to receive heavy rainfall today morning and forenoon hours.
The weather system is likely to move west-northwest across the South Peninsula and weaken. The heavy rainfall is likely to ease out tomorrow. Yet, isolated heavy rainfall may still continue for Pamban, Tondi and Tuticorin areas. The larger clearance is expected a day later, on 14thDec and stays good on 15thDec, as well.
There is another weather system over the southern parts of the Andaman Sea, supported by cyclonic circulation. This will move from east to west, across southern parts of the Bay of Bengal, following a similar track, right up to Sri Lanka. Yet another wave of weather activity is likely to follow, at the start of the next week. A low-pressure area may develop over the Gulf of Mannar, off the Tamil Nadu coast on 16thDecember 2024. Another round of intense weather activity is likely to impact Tamil Nadu, both coast and interiors, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Kerala on 16th and 17thDecember 2024. This weather system will also cross over to the Lakshadweep region and southeast Arabian Sea on 18th Dec and move westward, away from the coastline.