Severe Rain Forecast for Coastal Regions of Tamil Nadu
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Chennai, Dec 16 (NationPress) The meteorological authorities have issued a warning for heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu commencing Tuesday.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has indicated that a low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify and progress west-northwest towards the Tamil Nadu coastline in the coming two days, initiating rainfall from Tuesday.
This low-pressure system is anticipated to develop under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation situated over the southern Andaman Sea and nearby regions, including the southeast Bay of Bengal, according to the weather authorities.
The RMC forecasts heavy rain across numerous locations in coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, along with thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in isolated regions of Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur districts, as well as in the Karaikal area.
The weather department has also predicted significant rain in isolated areas of Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, and Pudukkottai districts, in addition to Puducherry.
On Wednesday, light to moderate rain is expected across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, with thunderstorms and lightning in isolated locations, according to the RMC.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in isolated locations of Cuddalore and Villupuram districts, along with Puducherry.
The RMC has also predicted rain in isolated areas of Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur districts.
During the current northeast monsoon season, Tamil Nadu has recorded a 14 percent increase in rainfall, totaling 447 mm compared to the average of 393 mm.
Chennai has experienced 845 mm of rainfall, which is 16 percent above average, while Coimbatore has noted a remarkable 47 percent rise in rainfall.
Fishermen are advised to refrain from going out to sea, and those currently at sea should return to shore without delay.
This alert comes in the wake of the destruction caused by Cyclone Fengal, which affected Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from November 29 to December 1.
Cyclone Fengal resulted in intense rainfall in Tamil Nadu, followed by heavy to very heavy rain due to a low-pressure area over the southern Bay of Bengal.
The cyclone and the subsequent rains caused the loss of 12 lives and inundated 211,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, leading to significant losses for farmers. The cyclone also resulted in extensive infrastructure damage, affecting 1,649 kilometers of electric lines, 23,664 electric poles, 997 transformers, 9,576 km of roads, 1,847 culverts, 417 tanks, and numerous houses and huts.
Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi districts received over 50 cm of rainfall in a single day, equivalent to an entire season’s average.
This resulted in severe flooding and considerable crop damage. The Tamil Nadu government reported that 6.9 million families and 15 million individuals were affected by this disaster.
In response, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking Rs 2,000 crore as temporary relief from the National Disaster Response Fund. The state government has submitted an initial damage assessment report, estimating a need for Rs 2,475 crore for relief and reconstruction efforts. The central government has approved Rs 944 crore as interim relief for the affected areas.
