CHENNAI: With the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal set to intensify further, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has placed the coastal and delta districts of Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam under an orange alert for very heavy rainfall.
The system, moving northwest at 10 kmph, was 570 km from Karaikal and 740 km from Chennai, as of 5.30 am on January 9, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) update.
Under the influence of this system, most parts of coastal Tamil Nadu can expect light to moderate rainfall. The forecast also indicates that isolated areas in interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal will experience showers accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Rain alerts issued across coastal and interior districts
On January 9, orange alerts were issued for Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai, while Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram were placed under a yellow alert.
On January 10, orange alerts were issued for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, with yellow alerts covering Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram.
For January 11, the yellow alert shifts to Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Puducherry.
An orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall of 11 to 20 cm, while a yellow alert signifies heavy rainfall of 6 to 11 cm.
High winds, rough seas and fishermen warnings issued
The RMC also warned of squally weather along the TN coast, Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Comorin area with winds expected to range between 45 km ph to 55 km ph, gusting to 65 km ph. The sea condition is likely to be rough over these areas today (January 9) and tomorrow (January 10), it added.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea areas during the period. Those out at deep sea should avoid Southeast and Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining East Indian ocean along and off Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, Gulf of Mannar and Comorin area.
A high wave alert has been issued for the coastlines of Nagapattinam and Karaikal.
Waves are expected to be in the range of 2.7-3.1 metres, the RMC bulletin said.
Meanwhile, Chennai is expected to see partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and occasional thunderstorms over the next 24 hours.
(With PTI inputs)