Why Did the Weather Office Issue an Orange Alert in Chennai and 7 Districts in TN?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Orange alert issued for Tamil Nadu due to anticipated heavy rain.
- Seven districts, including Chennai, are on high alert.
- Residents in low-lying areas should remain cautious.
- Heavy rainfall expected from October 21 to 24.
- Preparedness is key to safety during severe weather.
Chennai, Oct 21 (NationPress) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across various districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, as a low-pressure system is anticipated to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal from October 21 to 24.
As per the RMC, a low-pressure area is currently located over the southeast Arabian Sea, while an upper-air circulation is affecting the southern Andaman Sea and the nearby southeast Bay of Bengal.
This system is projected to strengthen into a low-pressure area within the next 24 hours and shift west-northwestward, gaining strength over the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal in the subsequent 48 hours.
Consequently, the weather office has issued an orange alert for seven districts: Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Cuddalore, warning of exceedingly heavy rain on Monday (October 21).
Moreover, heavy rainfall is predicted in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Sivaganga districts during the same timeframe.
On October 22, the RMC has extended the orange alert to Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Ranipet, and Tiruvannamalai districts, while forecasting heavy rain in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Tirupattur districts. The forecast for October 23 warns of extremely heavy rainfall in Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, and Vellore, while Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Tirupattur may receive heavy showers.
By October 24, regions including Tirupattur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Erode, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri are expected to experience intense rainfall.
In Chennai, the sky will remain predominantly cloudy with expectations of moderate to heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms in several city areas, according to the RMC.
Officials have advised residents in low-lying areas to stay vigilant and avoid flooded zones, as persistent rain may lead to flooding in certain parts of northern Tamil Nadu and the Delta region in the upcoming days.