CHENNAI: A low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining east equatorial Indian Ocean has intensified into a well-marked low pressure area and is expected to bring spells of rain to parts of Tamil Nadu over the coming days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
According to the weather office, the system intensified at 5.30 am on Tuesday (January 6) and is likely to move west-northwestwards towards the southwest Bay of Bengal over the next 48 hours. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level and is influencing weather conditions over southern India.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast light to moderate rain at a few places along coastal Tamil Nadu from January 7 to 11. On January 9, heavy rain is expected in isolated places over Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts, and Karaikal. On January 10, heavy rains are likely over scattered places in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore and Villuppuram districts, and the Puducherry-Karaikal region.
The weather department said the low pressure system, along with a trough in easterly winds from the Maldives-Lakshadweep region, is contributing to the rainfall conditions.
Meanwhile, minimum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to dip by 2-3°C at a few places on January 7, with early-morning mist and haze expected in some areas.
Chennai may witness partly cloudy skies with light rain spells and temperatures ranging between 21-22°C (minimum) and 29-30°C (maximum) on January 7.
Additionally, the IMD has forecast squally winds of 35-45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, along and off the Sri Lanka coast, over the southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining areas, and parts of the Comorin area, until January 9.
