In Tamil Nadu, heavy rain is likely in many districts on Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 24, 25). The Chennai Meteorological Department has also said that a cyclone may form over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal on Oct. 26.
The press release issued by the Meteorological Department on Friday said:
The low-pressure area that prevailed over the Kumari Sea and adjoining southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala regions was located over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep areas at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.
As a result, on Saturday (Oct. 24), very heavy rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and strong winds is likely in the districts of Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, and Theni. On Sunday (Oct. 25), very heavy rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and strong winds is likely in the districts of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Perambalur, Ariyalur, and Tiruchirappalli. An ‘orange’ alert has been issued for these districts.
Heavy rain for Chennai: Since heavy rain is likely in several districts of Tamil Nadu, including the southern districts and the delta region, as well as in Puducherry and Karaikal over these two days, a ‘yellow’ alert has been issued.
Similarly, heavy rain is likely in Chennai and suburban areas on Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 24, 25).
Warning for fishermen: In the coastal areas of southern Tamil Nadu, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Kanyakumari sea, winds may blow at speeds of 45 km per hour from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26. Similarly, in the Andaman Islands and many parts of the Bay of Bengal, winds may blow at speeds of 90 km per hour on Oct. 24 and 25. Therefore, fishermen are advised not to go fishing in those areas.
Rainfall: In the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. on Friday in Tamil Nadu, the highest rainfall recorded was 160 mm in Sattur, Virudhunagar district. In addition, rainfall recorded was 140 mm in Chinnakamanpatti (Virudhunagar), 130 mm in Samuthirapatti (Dindigul), 110 mm in Kuppanatham (Cuddalore), Vriddhachalam (Cuddalore), Kallikudi (Madurai), Vriddhachalam (Cuddalore), and Kodavasal (Tiruvarur), 100 mm in Kodaikanal (Dindigul), Vadipatti (Madurai), Natham (Dindigul), Savanthapur (Erode), Nadumandalam (Dindigul), and Chinna Ovalaapuram (Theni), it was reported.
‘Arnab’ cyclone
Meanwhile, Southern Region head of the Meteorological Department V.R. Durai told reporters on Friday:
Due to an upper-air cyclonic circulation prevailing over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal, a low-pressure area (a storm precursor) formed over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday. It is likely to intensify into a depression on Saturday (Oct. 24) and, continuing to move west-northwestward, may further strengthen into a deep depression on Oct. 25.
Following this, this weather system is likely to intensify further and strengthen into a cyclone on Oct. 26. Then, over the next two days, the cyclone is likely to move west-northwest and head toward the coastal areas of northern Andhra and adjoining southern Odisha.
This cyclone is not expected to cause major damage to Tamil Nadu. However, due to a change in wind direction, heavy rain is likely in northern Tamil Nadu. He said the cyclone will be named “Arnab,” a name suggested by Bangladesh.
