Depression over Bay of Bengal may delay NE monsoon, reduce intensity

The deep depression is likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm in the next 48 hours. “It is very likely to move northwestwards towards Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 72 hours,” said S Balachandran, deputy director general of the Regional Meteorological Department, Chennai.

Due to the formation of these intense systems, the wind regime has changed over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining sea areas. As a result, the commencement of northeast monsoon over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is not likely to take place as assessed earlier. Also, the rainfall activity is very likely to decrease over south India from Monday onwards, he added.

In view of the depression, an advisory has been issued to fishermen, asking them to stay off from venturing into the seas until October 10.

Meanwhile, a new cyclone, ‘Luban’, has been formed over the west-central and adjoining southwest Arabian Sea, about 990 km of Oman coast, met officials added. “The deep depression over southeast and adjoining east central Arabian sea moved west-northwestwards. It is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, and is very likely to move west-northwestwards towards south Oman and Yemen coasts during next five days,” Balachandran said.

Officials said rainfall was expected to gradually reduce in the State, with forecast for light to moderate rain or thundershower likely over various parts of Tamil Nadu. Chennai would receive light rain or thundershower in some areas, while maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33 degree Celsius and 26 degree Celsius respectively, according to the weather department.  

In 24 hours, the maximum rainfall recorded in the State was at Tirupuvanam in Sivaganga (15 cm), Mana Madurai (13 cm), Chittampatti (12 cm), Rameswaram (9 cm) and Paramakudi (8 cm).