Low pressure in Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into depression: Meteorological Department

Speaking to the media here, the RMD Deputy Director General S Balachandran said, “A new low pressure has formed over north Andaman and south east of Bay of Bengal. It is likely to concentrate into a depression in 24 hours and move northwestwards towards Odisha coast during next 72 hours.”

“For the next 24 hours, moderate rainfall is expected in several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. While a few places, including Kanniyakumari, Theni, Dindigul and Tirunelveli might receive heavy rainfall,” he added. 

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to receive light to moderate rain or thunder shower at most places, while heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places. Chennai will receive light to moderate rain or thunder showers at a few places. 

Due to the low pressure, the State has received moderate rainfall in the last 24 hours. A coastal village, Mimisal, in Pudukottai district received 13 cm of rainfall and Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram and Coonoor each registered 8 cm of rainfall.

Meanwhile, the depression over southeast and adjoining east central Arabian sea lay centered at west-northwestwards off 920 km of Minicoy (Lakshadweep Islands). It is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm in the subsequent 24 hours, officials at Regional Meteorological Center here said.  

It is expected to move west-northwestwards towards south Oman and adjoining Yemen coasts in the next 5 days.  According to a weather bulletin, the sea would be very rough Sunday onwards over Lakshadweep area, southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining central Arabian Sea. It will become gradually high over central Arabian Sea around system center. Likewise, the sea is expected to be rough over the Central and North Bay until Tuesday.