South Tamil Nadu has experienced heavy rains and few places exceptionally heavy rains in the past 24 hours. Isolated locations have received all time record high rainfall in the past 24 hours. Heavy rains thronged Nilgiris and Palani Hills as well. Extreme southern coastal stations were impacted more than the rest. Deluge at some places, continuing for hours together has derailed the normal life, affecting rail, road and air traffic simultaneously.
Heavy rains were anticipated for the region, in association with the cyclonic circulation moving east to west across South Sri Lanka, Comorin region in the equatorial region. However, incessant downpour measuring in excess of 400mm in 24 hours was beyond the range of model prediction. Palayankottai, a little away from the coast and almost west abeam Thoothukudi received all time record of 442mm rainfall in 24 hours. Kodaikanal, a town with an elevation of about 2,000 mtr, sitting almost on a plateau, in the Palani Hills, measured 103mm rainfall in the same duration. Chief amount of rainfall at few other places include Kanyakumari – 173mm, Tondi -70mm, Pamban – 52mm, Madurai – 35mm.
Cyclonic circulation is shifting westward, but still remain close enough to dump heavy rains at some places, today as well. Northward extension of trough from this system will cause heavy showers over Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Kalakkad, Tiruchedur, Thoothukudi, Palayankottai, Pamban, Tondi, Tuticorin and Ramanathapuram, today. Continuation of this wet spell will increase the level of disruption and water logging in the low lying areas. Rescue work is likely to be hampered and the connectivity remain impacted. North Coastal parts and interior region of the state will not experience any inclement weather conditions.
Weather system is likely to move over Maldives and Lakshadweep region, by tomorrow. Weather conditions will substantially improve over the marooned areas and relief and rescue operations could be resumed. The next weather system trailing behind the existing one is relatively tracking southward across South Sri Lanka, Comorin and Maldives area. It will spare the Indian landmass of any adverse weather. Overall, weather conditions will behave over the state of Tamil Nadu for the next one week.