Low-pressure area to form over Bay of Bengal in 24 hrs

CHENNAI: A low-pressure area is likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman Sea in the next 24 hours. Several districts of Tamil Nadu are likely to receive heavy rain from November 20, predicted by the regional meteorological centre (RMC) on Wednesday.

The cyclonic circulation over south Andaman Sea and the neighborhood extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level persists. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman Sea in the next 24 hours. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and gradually concentrate into a depression over central parts of South Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 48 hours.

Currently, a cyclonic circulation lies over Kerala and neighborhood and extends up to 0.9 km above mean sea level. The isolated places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal areas are likely to get light to moderate rains for the next few days.

From November 20, northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu such as Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Chengalpattu are expected to receive heavy rain along with thunderstorm activity.

As far as Chennai is concerned, the sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy, and light to moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning is likely to occur in some areas. Also, mist and haze occur during the early morning hours in the city for the next 48 hours. And the maximum and minimum temperature is likely to reduce and would record around 30 degree Celsius and 24 degree Celsius respectively.

In addition, fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea on November 19 and 20. As squally wind with speed reaching 45 km – 55 kmph is likely to prevail over along-off Tamil Nadu coast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, south Andhra Pradesh coast and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal.

In the last 24 hours, the highest amount of rainfall recorded in Virudhunagar 12 cm, followed by Tenakasi 9 cm, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Pudukottai received 3 cm rainfall each, as per RMC data.