TN: RMC Issues Orange Alert for Coastal Regions, Fishermen Urged to Remain Ashore

Chennai, Dec 9 (NationPress) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, signaling the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall due to a low-pressure system forming over the sea, which is anticipated to intensify.

As a result of this weather system, regions such as Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, and Kancheepuram are projected to experience significant rainfall on Tuesday (December 10) and Wednesday (December 11).

Furthermore, 12 additional districts, including Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram, are likely to face intense rain spells.

An orange alert is also in effect for Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts on Thursday (December 12).

The RMC has issued a yellow alert for Chennai and surrounding areas, forecasting heavy rains on December 12.

Fishermen are advised to stay away from the sea, and those currently in deeper waters are urged to return to shore without delay.

The weather authorities predict strong winds reaching speeds of 35-45 km/h across the southeast Bay of Bengal.

The low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjacent east equatorial Indian Ocean, with a cyclonic circulation extending to mid-tropospheric levels, is expected to move west-northwest and strengthen over the next 24 hours.

This system is likely to approach the southwest Bay of Bengal, near the coast of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, by Wednesday (December 11).

This alert follows the impact of Cyclone Fengal, which affected Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from November 29 to December 1, causing extensive damage.

The cyclone resulted in the loss of 12 lives and flooded 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, leading to considerable losses for farmers.

It also inflicted substantial damage to infrastructure, including 1,649 kilometres of electrical lines, 23,664 electric poles, 997 transformers, 9,576 kilometres of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 tanks.

Many homes and huts were also affected. The districts of Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi reported over 50 cm of rainfall in a single day, which is equal to the average for an entire season, resulting in severe flooding and significant crop damage.

The government of Tamil Nadu revealed that 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals suffered due to the disaster.

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

The Tamil Nadu government has also provided an initial damage assessment report, estimating the need for Rs 2,475 crore for relief and recovery operations.

The central government has approved Rs 944 crore in interim aid for the affected areas.