Chennai: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for Chennai, Karaikal, and Puducherry, and is set to issue a red alert for the Delta districts of Tamil Nadu on Thursday and Friday (November 28 and 29), as the state braces for heavy to very heavy rainfall. The weather department has forecast significant rainfall due to a developing depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify in the coming days.

According to the RMC, the depression currently located over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen further as it moves northwestward. The system, which formed due to an upper-air circulation, is expected to intensify into a deep depression and eventually move closer to the Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka coast, bringing heavy rain to the region. As it does so, the Delta districts and surrounding areas, including Chennai, are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Weather alerts and rainfall forecast  

The RMC has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (11.5 cm to 20.4 cm) in isolated areas of the Delta districts, Chennai, and surrounding regions from November 25 to 28.

This alert includes districts such as Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Karaikal, and Pudukkottai. A yellow alert has been issued for Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari districts on November 25.

On November 26, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Ramanathapuram districts are also under a yellow alert, indicating a potential for moderate rainfall.

Chennai bracing for rain on November 27-28  

The RMC has specifically forecast heavy rainfall for Chennai on November 27 and 28, as the depression moves closer to the Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka coast. Localized flooding and disruptions are anticipated in the city, and the public has been advised to stay informed of the latest weather updates.

Fishermen advised to stay safe  

With the depression over the central parts of the southern Bay of Bengal, the RMC has urged fishermen to avoid deep-sea fishing between November 25 and 28. The advisory emphasizes the risks associated with the developing weather system, and the authorities are urging caution in maritime activities as conditions are expected to worsen.

IANS