Severe Rainfall Expected in Tamil Nadu, Orange Alert Issued for Three Districts
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Chennai, Dec 14 (NationPress) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has announced an orange alert for the districts of Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu for Saturday. Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for 11 other districts across the state.
On Saturday, Chennai and its surrounding areas are predicted to experience light rain, along with thunderstorms and lightning in certain regions.
The weather is expected to remain partly cloudy, with maximum and minimum temperatures projected at 30-31°C and 24-25°C, respectively.
Heavy rainfall is anticipated to begin in the coastal and delta regions of Tamil Nadu from December 16.
The RMC has also warned of the potential development of another low-pressure system within two days, which could lead to increased rainfall.
S. Balachandran, Additional Director-General of Meteorology, Chennai, remarked that the active Northeast Monsoon has been responsible for the emergence of successive weather systems, necessitating enhanced studies and improved disaster management strategies.
Rainfall persisted in various regions of Tamil Nadu until Friday evening, with Virudhunagar receiving 12 cm of rain and Thoothukudi noting 10 cm by 5:30 p.m.
Following a brief pause, the RMC expects widespread rainfall to recommence from Monday. An upper-air cyclonic circulation is predicted to develop over the South Andaman Sea on Saturday, leading to the formation of a new low-pressure area over the southern Bay of Bengal.
This system is anticipated to move west-northwest toward the Tamil Nadu coastline by Monday.
On Friday and early Saturday, the Tamil Nadu government reported five fatalities related to the rain. Three individuals died due to wall collapses in Ariyalur and Ramanathapuram districts, while two others succumbed to electrocution in Sivaganga and Ranipet districts.
More than 2,000 individuals have been moved to 50 relief camps set up in districts heavily impacted by the rain.
Additionally, over 100 cattle have perished across 10 districts, including Mayiladuthurai and Ramanathapuram.
The rainfall has also resulted in substantial property damage, affecting over 400 houses across 20 districts, including Ariyalur and Chengalpattu. The flow in the Thamiraparani River has surged to 50,000 cusecs due to heavy rainfall in the surrounding areas.
Residents in proximity to the riverbanks and in low-lying areas have been evacuated to relief camps. Over 11.75 lakh mobile phones have received warning messages to ensure public safety.
