Orange alert issued for four districts of Tamil Nadu for next two days

CHENNAI: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted very heavy rainfall activity over Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi districts. An orange alert has been issued for four districts for the next two days. Meanwhile, Kanyakumari district has recorded the highest amount of rainfall with 81 percent excess rainfall during the northeast monsoon season with 929 mm.

As the cyclonic circulation over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal off south Sri Lanka coast now lies over the Comorin area and neighbourhood. An orange alert issued for four districts - Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi predicting heavy to very heavy rain for the next 48 hours.

Also, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Theni are likely to get heavy rain along with thunderstorm activity. The department mentioned that the monsoon spells would be active over south Tamil Nadu in the coming days.

For Chennai and suburbs, light to moderate rain will occur over some areas for the next two days. The maximum and minimum temperature is likely to record around 30 degree Celsius and 24 degree Celsius in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam weather stations respectively.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till December 19. As squally weather with wind speed 40 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph likely to prevail over southwest Bay of Bengal along and off Sri Lanka coast, Tamil Nadu coast, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area and adjoining South Kerala Coast.

According to RMC, during the northeast monsoon from Oct 1 to Dec 17, Tamil Nadu recorded 395 mm of rainfall which is 5 percent deficit against 414 mm average rainfall. However, several coastal districts including Chennai, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari received excess rainfall during the monsoon season. Chennai received 43 percent more rainfall with 1,088 mm against the normal spell of 761 mm of rainfall.