CHENNAI: The depression over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression, moving nearly west-northwest at 15 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday (January 8). This is the first deep depression of 2026.
At 5.30 am on January 8, the system was about 1,020 km from Chennai and 860 km from Karaikal. It is expected to move further towards the southwest Bay of Bengal over the next 36 hours.
Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai chief B Amudha had noted that such systems were not unusual for January, adding that between 1891 and 2024, 20 cyclonic disturbances have formed in the month.
Under the influence of the deep depression, light to moderate rain is likely over Tamil Nadu, with heavier spells over coastal districts over the next few days.
The RMC has issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts. An orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall of 11 to 20 cm, while a yellow alert denotes heavy rainfall of 6 to 11 cm for the following districts:
Orange alert for Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur and Puducherry on January 9 and 10.
Yellow alert for Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Karaikal for January 8 and 9.
Yellow alert for Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Puducherry on January 10 and 11.
Along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, squally winds of 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph are expected on January 8, strengthening to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph on January 9
Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough over the Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Comorin area till January 10, according to the IMD.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these seas, and those already in deep waters have been asked to avoid the southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal and the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-Karaikal coasts during this period.