Cyclone warning: When the storm is expected to hit Chennai-Machilipatnam coast

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall in Tamil Nadu as a cyclonic storm develops. The weather department stated that a low-pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal has moved west-northwestwards and developed into a depression over the past 12 hours. The depression is currently centered approximately 790 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 800 km southeast of Chennai, 990 km southeast of Bapatla, and 970 km southeast of Machilipatnam.

According to the forecast, this system is expected to continue moving west-northwestwards and intensify into a Deep Depression by 2nd December. By 3rd December, it is likely to further intensify into a Cyclonic Storm over the Southwest Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is predicted to move northwestwards and cross the South Andhra Pradesh and adjoining North Tamil Nadu coast between Chennai and Machilipatnam on the evening of 4th December as a cyclonic storm.

Certain parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, have been experiencing heavy rainfall in the past few days. Due to the heavy rains, schools in Chennai and surrounding districts were closed on Wednesday.

Rainfall warning

As a result of the cyclonic activity, from 2nd to 4th December, there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall at most places in North Coastal Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. During 3rd to 4th December, isolated very heavy rainfall may also occur.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh may see light to moderate rainfall from 3rd to 5th December, with heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at a few places, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall during 3rd to 4th December. On 5th December, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over south Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and isolated extremely heavy rainfall may occur over north Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Wind Warning

Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also anticipated in coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal on November 30th. The weather conditions in the Southeast Bay of Bengal are expected to be squally, with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph from the morning of December 1st. These speeds are likely to increase to 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph by the morning of December 2nd and then gradually decrease. In the Southwest Bay of Bengal, squally winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph are expected from the morning of December 1st, which will further intensify to 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from the morning of December 2nd.

The IMD has advised fishermen to refrain from venturing into the South Andaman Sea on November 30th, the Southeast Bay of Bengal from November 30th to December 2nd, the Southwest Bay of Bengal from December 1st to December 4th, and the westcentral Bay of Bengal from the morning of December 2nd to December 5th.

Furthermore, fishermen currently at sea are advised to return to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, while those along the east coast of India, from the Tamil Nadu coast to the Odisha coast, should return to the coast by December 1st.