Cyclone Senyar could form in 48 hours; TN braces for heavy rainfall

New Delhi: A well-marked low-pressure area over Malaysia and the adjoining Strait of Malacca is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the south Bay of Bengal within the next 48 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

The system, currently moving west-northwestwards, may first strengthen into a depression over the south Andaman Sea in the next 24 hours, IMD said.

“Intense to very intense convection is ongoing over the south Andaman Sea, the Strait of Malacca and nearby areas. Winds are estimated at 15–20 knots, gusting to 30 knots, with sea conditions remaining moderate,” the department added.

If the system intensifies into a cyclonic storm, it will be named ‘Senyar’, meaning “lion,” a name contributed by the United Arab Emirates under the rotating list of names used for the North Indian Ocean.

Tamil Nadu braces for heavy rainfall

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall over several districts in Tamil Nadu in the coming days. An orange alert has been issued for Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, where extremely heavy rain is expected, especially in hilly areas.

Heavy rain is likely in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts on November 25. Rainfall is expected to expand to seven districts on November 26. By November 27, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam may witness intense rain as the system moves closer to the coast. The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam on November 28, with very heavy rain expected across seven northern coastal districts on November 29 as the cyclone nears Tamil Nadu.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, watch for waterlogging, and follow district officials’ instructions as the system strengthens.

Chennai seven-day weather forecast:

Nov 25: Partly cloudy with a few spells of rain or thundershowers

Nov 26: Mostly cloudy, light rain likely

Nov 27: Cloudy with light rain

Nov 28: Partly cloudy, isolated thundershowers possible

Nov 29: Mostly cloudy with heavy rain expected

Nov 30: Cloudy with continuing heavy rain

Fishermen advisory

The weather department has warned fishermen not to venture into several sea areas due to rough weather. Advisories include:

• South Andaman Sea till Nov 27
• Southeast Bay of Bengal from Nov 25 to 28
• Southwest Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, and coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sri Lanka till Nov 29
• West-central Bay of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh coast from Nov 27 to 30
• Southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Maldives region, and Kerala coast from Nov 25 to 27

Fishermen already at sea are advised to avoid the South Andaman Sea till Nov 27, Southeast Bay of Bengal till Nov 28, Southwest Bay of Bengal till Nov 29, and West-central Bay of Bengal till Nov 30. Those along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast have been asked to return to shore before Nov 28.