Weather in Tamil Nadu: The low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal sets the stage for widespread rainfall

The Regional Meteorological Center in Chennai has predicted that the heavy rains scheduled to begin over north Tamil Nadu and delta districts on Monday (October 14, 2024) would intensify on October 15 and 16 | Photo credit: R. Ragu

A low pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Monday (October 14, 2024) would create conditions for widespread rainfall over northern Tamil Nadu, heralding the onset of northeast monsoon over the state.

The Regional Meteorological Center in Chennai has predicted that the heavy rains scheduled to begin over north Tamil Nadu and delta districts on Monday (October 14, 2024) will intensify on October 15 and 16.

Rainfall would gradually increase in pace from Monday (October 14, 2024) and spread over these regions during the week.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall of up to 12 cm would occur at isolated places in nine districts including Villupuram, Cuddalore and Pudukottai on Monday (October 14, 2024). Chennai and its neighboring districts and some parts of northern Tamil Nadu would witness heavy rains.

Eight districts, including Chennai and surrounding districts, may experience heavy rain on October 15. Chennai and neighboring districts may have to brace for extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm at isolated places on October 16.

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According to the latest observations from RMC, the low pressure area is likely to develop into a well-developed low pressure area in Chennai on Monday and move towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining southern coastal Andhra Pradesh over the next two days.

Furthermore, the low pressure area is also persisting over the central Arabian Sea and is likely to move towards the coast of Oman in the next two days. The interaction of the two weather systems would drive moisture-laden clouds into the region and lead to heavy rainfall.

Several weather stations had recorded moderate to heavy rainfall across the state until 6 a.m. on Monday (October 14, 2024). These include Coimbatore (6 cm), Salem and Ramanathapuram (4 cm each).

Budalur in Thanjavur district recorded the heaviest rainfall of 12 cm in the state in the last 24 hours, ending at 8.30 am on Monday (October 14, 2024). Other places that received heavy rainfall included Karaikal and Coimbatore South (8 cm each), Andipatti in Theni district, Hindustan University in Kancheepuram district, DGP office in Chennai and Sattur in Virudhunagar district (7 each). cm).

In and around Chennai, automatic rain gauges recorded rainfall at places like VIT University and YMCA Nandanam (5 cm), Meenambakkam, Puzhal and Nungambakkam (2 cm each).

The cessation of the southwest monsoon in a day or two would pave the way for the simultaneous onset of easterly and northeasterly winds and northeast monsoon rains over Tamil Nadu, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin said.