Is a Red Alert Issued in Eight TN Districts and Orange in Ten Due to Deep Depressions Over Bay of Bengal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- IMD has issued a Red alert for eight districts in Tamil Nadu.
- Chennai and nine other districts are under an Orange alert.
- Heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected in the coming days.
- Residents in vulnerable areas are urged to stay indoors.
- Fishermen should avoid going to sea.
Chennai, Oct 21 (NationPress) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a Red alert for eight districts in Tamil Nadu and an Orange alert for ten others, including Chennai, as a weather system over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression early Tuesday.
The IMD reported that the system, which developed over the southwest Bay of Bengal at around 5:30 a.m., has strengthened and is expected to continue intensifying over the next 24 hours. It is likely to shift in a west-northwest direction towards the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh.
Meteorologists predict that the system could evolve into a low-pressure area over the southwest and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal by Wednesday afternoon, potentially making landfall between the Tamil Nadu and Andhra coastlines.
Coastal regions are forecasted to experience heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and rough sea conditions over the next two days.
As a precaution, the IMD has placed the districts of Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, and Ramanathapuram, along with Karaikal (Puducherry UT), under a Red alert due to the likelihood of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
On the other hand, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari districts are under an Orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The IMD has also warned fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea due to strong winds reaching speeds of 45-55 km/h, with gusts up to 65 km/h, along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.
Local authorities have been urged to maintain a state of high alert, ensure relief camps are operational, and prepare for possible flooding and power outages. Disaster management teams are on standby in coastal districts, with the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) enhancing preparedness measures to mitigate the effects of the anticipated heavy rainfall. Residents in low-lying and coastal areas are advised to stay indoors, limit travel, and closely monitor updates from the weather department as the situation develops.