Chennai, Jan 7 (NationPress) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a weather warning predicting extensive rainfall and strong winds across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal in the coming days due to the emergence of a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal and the equatorial Indian Ocean.

According to a press statement, the prevailing atmospheric conditions over the central Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal resulted in the formation of a low-pressure system at around 5.30 p.m. on January 5 over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the equatorial Indian Ocean. By 5.30 a.m. on January 6, this system evolved into a deep depression, remaining in the same vicinity. The system is anticipated to shift west-northwest on January 7, further intensifying into a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal.

The system is expected to maintain its trajectory on January 8. Enhanced atmospheric instability is also noted over the Comorin Sea and surrounding regions, including Lakshadweep and the adjacent central and eastern Arabian Sea, which is likely to promote increased rainfall.

On January 7, light to moderate rain is expected in isolated areas of coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, while much of interior Tamil Nadu may remain dry. Light morning mist may occur in some interior districts.

Rainfall is projected to strengthen on January 8, with light to moderate rains accompanied by thunderstorms forecasted for several locations along the Tamil Nadu coastline, Puducherry, and Karaikal, as well as isolated spots in interior Tamil Nadu.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall could affect one or two areas in Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, and Karaikal. Isolated heavy rain is also anticipated in districts such as Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Chengalpattu.

On January 10, thunderstorms with light to moderate rain are likely to occur in several coastal and some interior areas. Very heavy rainfall might happen in isolated places within Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Chengalpattu, while heavy rain is also expected in regions like Puducherry, Chennai, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet, and Kancheepuram.

Rainfall is anticipated to taper off gradually on January 11 and 12, although isolated heavy rain may still occur in parts of the northern coastal and nearby interior districts.

Chennai is predicted to have partly cloudy skies on January 7, with a likelihood of light morning mist. Maximum temperatures may reach around 29 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 24 degrees. Strong surface winds of 35 to 50 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 60 km/h, are anticipated along the Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar, the Comorin Sea, and certain areas of the Bay of Bengal between January 7 and 10.

Fishermen are strongly advised against venturing into the sea during this period.