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Chennai Braces for Unrelenting Heavy Rains: Orange Alert Issued
Stay informed as heavy rains batter Chennai with an orange alert issued by the weather department.
Heavy rains have descended upon Chennai, causing widespread flooding and disruptions across the city. The weather department has sounded an orange alert, extending its warning to 25 districts in Tamil Nadu until late night on Wednesday. The relentless downpour is attributed to a low-pressure system originating in the Andaman Sea, now making its way towards the Bay of Bengal and anticipated to intensify into a depression.
Throughout Wednesday, intermittent heavy rains pounded Chennai, leading to waterlogging in various areas such as Ambattur, Anna Nagar, and Perungudi. Traffic slowed to a crawl as civic workers diligently worked to clear excess water, ensuring the safety and convenience of residents.
Meenambakkam and Nungambakkam stations in Chennai reported 23 mm and 9 mm of rainfall, respectively, between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Wednesday. Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu recorded the highest rainfall at 26 mm during the same period.
The orange alert, covering Chennai and its adjoining districts like Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram, is in effect until late Wednesday night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has extended the alert until December 5, forecasting heavy rainfall for Tamil Nadu and the neighboring region of Puducherry. Rainfall estimates range between 115 mm and 204 mm from December 2 to 3.
The root cause of this deluge is a low-pressure system originating in the Andaman Sea. As of Wednesday, this system has transformed into a well-marked low-pressure area over the south Bay of Bengal. Further movements are anticipated, with a trajectory expected to be west-northwest, eventually concentrating into a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal by November 30, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai.
The forecast indicates isolated heavy rain over coastal and adjacent districts from Wednesday through December 2. Additionally, there is a likelihood of isolated very heavy rain over north coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, on December 2 and 3.
Residents and authorities are urged to stay vigilant, adhering to safety protocols during this period of heightened rainfall and potential flooding. The evolving weather conditions necessitate constant monitoring, and updates from the weather department will be crucial in managing the impact of this intense weather system.
