Chennai, Dec 10 (NationPress) The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that the low-pressure system affecting Tamil Nadu is projected to intensify within the next 24 hours.

This system originated over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean near the equator and is currently stationary, which is hindering its development into a deep depression.

The IMD has issued a warning for heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu over the upcoming four days. Significant rainfall is expected in Chennai on Thursday, which has prompted a yellow alert for the city.

Intense rain is anticipated in several districts, including Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram, in the coming days.

An orange alert has also been declared for Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts for Thursday.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has further issued a yellow alert for Chennai and neighboring districts, indicating a forecast of heavy rain on December 12.

Fishermen are advised to refrain from going to sea, and those already out in deep waters should return to shore immediately.

Wind speeds of 35-45 km/h are expected over the southeast Bay of Bengal.

This alert comes in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal, which impacted Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from November 29 to December 1.

The cyclone left a trail of destruction, leading to the loss of 12 lives and affecting 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, resulting in significant losses for farmers.

Infrastructure suffered extensive damage, including 1,649 kilometers of electric conductors, 23,664 electric poles, 997 transformers, 9,576 kilometers of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 water tanks.

Many homes and huts were also destroyed. Districts such as Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi recorded over 50 cm of rainfall in a single day, equivalent to the average for an entire season, leading to severe flooding and crop damage.

The Tamil Nadu government reported that the cyclone had a detrimental impact on 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals.

In response to the disaster, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting Rs 2,000 crore as interim relief from the National Disaster Response Fund.

The state government has submitted an initial damage assessment, estimating Rs 2,475 crore for relief and reconstruction. The central government has approved Rs 944 crore as interim assistance for the affected areas.