Chennai and 16 Districts on Orange Alert as Heavy Rains Lash Tamil Nadu
Chennai is bracing for heavy rains as a system over the Bay of Bengal intensifies into a deep depression, with the potential to develop into a cyclone. The city and its suburbs have already witnessed sudden downpours since Monday night, disrupting daily life and causing waterlogging in many areas.
Impacted Areas:
Key locations in Chennai, including Tondiarpet, Broadway, Ekkaduthangal, Kodambakkam, Anna Salai, Perungudi, OMR, Velachery, Nungambakkam, and Egmore, have reported significant rainfall. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) predicts intense spells of rain from Wednesday onwards.
Rainfall Statistics (Last 24 Hours):
- Mayiladuthurai: 5 cm
- Meenambakkam: 3 cm
- Kodambakkam, Alandur, Ice House, and YMCA Nandanam: 2 cm
Weather System Update:
The depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has moved north-northwest at a speed of 10 kmph. As of Tuesday:
- Location:
- 340 km south-southeast of Trincomalee
- 630 km south-southeast of Nagapattinam
- 750 km south-southeast of Puducherry
- 830 km south-southeast of Chennai
- The system is expected to intensify into a deep depression within 12 hours and move north-northwest towards the Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coast over the next two days.
Orange Alert Issued:
The RMC has issued an orange alert for the next few hours, predicting very heavy rainfall (6-11 cm) in 16 districts, including:
- Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, and Tenkasi.
Residents are advised to exercise caution as more intense rainfall is expected in the coming days.
