Red alert issued for four south districts of TN for 24 hours
The cyclonic circulation over Comorin area and neighbourhood extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level persists.
S Balachandran, Director of Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre (Image/ANI)
CHENNAI: Extremely heavy rain under the influence of cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area lashed four districts of south Tamil Nadu, it is likely to continue and issued a red alert for the next 24 hours, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said on Monday.
Kayalpatinam in Thoothukudi district recorded 95 cm of rainfall in a single day on Monday. The weather official stated that for the first time extremely heavy rain occurred due to cyclonic circulation.
The northeast monsoon is expected to receive intense spells in the coming years due to climate change.
The cyclonic circulation over Comorin area and neighbourhood extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level persists.
Under its influence, extremely heavy rain was predicted over Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. At least four districts- Theni, Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Dindigul will receive heavy rainfall for the next 24 hours.
From December 14 to 16, an orange alert issued for these four districts of Tamil Nadu predicted very heavy rainfall.
"On Monday, it was upgraded to red alert on Monday morning and expected to receive more than 20 cm of rainfall. However, we cannot provide accurate rainfall amounts to be recorded. At least 39 places experienced extremely heavy rains and 18 places with intense spells in the last 24 hours. For the first time, 95 cm of rainfall was recorded in a district under the influence of cyclonic circulation, " explained Dr S Balachandran, deputy director-general of meteorology, RMC.
"Various parts of southern Tamil Nadu experienced widespread rainfall recently. Due to the climate change, the state is likely to witness heavy rainfall in the coming years during the northeast monsoon seasons, " he added.
As far as Chennai and suburbs are concerned, some areas might receive light to moderate rain for the next 48 hours. The maximum and minimum temperature will record around 30 degree Celsius and 24 degree Celsius.
According to RMC, Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district received 62 to 69 cm of rainfall on Monday. Followed by Tirunelveli 61 cm, Tenkasi 51 cm, Kanyakumari with 30 cm and Virudhunagar recorded 20 cm rainfall.
The weather department warned Tamil Nadu fishermen not to venture into the sea till December 20. As squally weather with wind speed 40 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph likely to prevail along and off South Tamil Nadu coast, over Gulf of Mannar and Comorin area.