The deep depression prevailing over the Bay of Bengal region (cyclonic precursor) may intensify and develop into Cyclone ‘Arnab’ on Oct. 26, the Chennai Meteorological Department has said. As a result, a heavy rain warning has been issued for several districts in Tamil Nadu for two days, Sunday (Oct. 25) and Monday (Oct. 26).
Regarding this, a press release issued by the Chennai Meteorological Department on Saturday said: The low-pressure area that prevailed over the central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal regions has, as of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, become a deep depression. This cyclonic precursor may intensify further and remain as a depression over the same regions.
Then, this weather system may move west-northwestward, intensify further into a deep depression, and strengthen into Cyclone ‘Arnab’ over the central-west Bay of Bengal on Sunday (Oct. 26). This cyclone may move west-northwestward, intensify further, and cross the coast along the Andhra shoreline in the central-west Bay of Bengal on Oct. 28.
Due to this cyclone, winds from the Kanyakumari Sea are being drawn toward the Bay of Bengal through Tamil Nadu. At that time, heavy rain is expected along the path of those winds.
Red alert: Accordingly, on Sunday (Oct. 25), Theni, Dindigul, and Madurai districts are likely to receive extremely heavy rain (up to 204 mm) accompanied by strong winds. Therefore, a ‘red’ alert has been issued for these districts, and in addition, an ‘orange’ alert has been issued for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchi, Karur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Sivaganga districts, and Karaikal region, as they are likely to receive very heavy rain.
On Monday (Oct. 26), an ‘orange’ alert has been issued for Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, and Pudukkottai districts, as they are likely to receive very heavy rain accompanied by strong winds.
In Chennai and suburban areas, a ‘yellow’ alert has been issued as there is a possibility of heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in some parts of the city on Sunday (Oct. 26).
Rainfall record: In Tamil Nadu, during the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday, the highest rainfall was recorded in Barliyar, Nilgiris district, with 250 mm. It was reported that rainfall recorded included: Ketti Estate (Nilgiris) - 200 mm, Coonoor (Nilgiris) - 170 mm, Alagari Estate (Nilgiris) - 160 mm, Mettupalayam (Coimbatore) - 150 mm, Kotagiri (Nilgiris) - 140 mm, Navalur Kottapattu (Trichy), Natham (Dindigul) - 110 mm, Arani (Tiruvannamalai), Palani (Dindigul) - 100 mm.
