Are 4 districts of TN on high alert as deep depression nears cyclone intensity?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- High alert status for four Tamil Nadu districts.
- IMD warnings of severe rainfall and flooding.
- Farmers experiencing crop losses due to inundation.
- Authorities enforcing precautions for residents.
- Ongoing monitoring of weather systems in the region.
Chennai, Nov 26 (NationPress) Four southern districts of Tamil Nadu — Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram — are under heightened alert as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal approaches cyclonic intensity.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for significant rainfall in these districts on Wednesday, with the weather system anticipated to strengthen over the next 24 hours.
This deep depression, formed from a low-pressure area over the Bay, is shifting west-northwest and may gain further strength.
While earlier forecasts indicated a potential cyclone, the IMD now suggests that the system will continue to intensify.
Additionally, another low-pressure area remains near the Malacca Strait, with a separate system active over the southwest Bay of Bengal, southern Sri Lanka, and the adjacent Indian Ocean.
These weather patterns have caused widespread heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, inundating expansive agricultural lands. In Cuddalore district, around 1,500 acres of paddy fields in Poovalai, Alamelu Mangapuram, and Manikollai are currently submerged.
Farmers attribute the recurring flooding to the Paravanar River, claiming that necessary embankments were not constructed despite silt removal under a river improvement initiative.
Nagapattinam district has experienced substantial crop damage, with 15,000 acres of paddy fields underwater in Keelannapur, Vadamarudhur, and Panayur.
In Karuvelankadai, Chetticheri, and Melachetticheri, over 500 acres of Samba paddy have been lost to flooding. Umbalachery near Vedaranyam recorded more than 1,000 acres of flooded farmland. Tiruvarur district reported another 15,000 acres of submerged fields around Tiruthuraipoondi, impacting crops in Kallikudi, Nedumbalam, Vepancheri, Kudavasal, and Maruthavanam.
In Tenkasi, strong floods at Courtallam Main Falls, Five Falls, and Chitharuvi have led authorities to prohibit bathing for the fourth consecutive day, disappointing numerous Ayyappa devotees and tourists.
Due to worsening sea conditions, third-level cyclone warning cones have been raised at Thoothukudi VOC Port and Pamban Port.
The IMD has indicated that the low-pressure system over the southwest Bay, Sri Lanka, and the Indian Ocean is likely to intensify into a deep depression today and gain strength within 24 hours.
As a result, heavy rainfall is anticipated today in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram.
Tomorrow, heavy rains are expected in Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam.
The following day, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam may witness very heavy rainfall, with strong showers predicted in Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Pudukottai, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, and Ariyalur.
On November 29, very heavy rainfall is forecast for Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, and Villupuram.
aal/rad