Low pressure turns into depression, rain likely in TN next week

The depression is expected to change into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean. “The well-marked low-pressure system over Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic low pressure system. The low-pressure is expected to subsequently intensify into a depression over the East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal,” an RMC bulletin stated.

The depression is very likely to move north-westwards and off the east coast of Sri Lanka near north Tamil Nadu coast on April 30.

Stating that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at most places in the State on April 30 and May 1, the Met Department issued a red alert warning for coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in isolated parts of the State in the next 48 hours.

According to weather blogger Pradeep John, the cyclone which has been forecast is expected to stall due to a ridge and this will bring a lot of rainfall wherever it will cross. “Droughts to floods can happen in some areas,” he said.

Skymet Weather reports that the low-pressure system is already a slow-moving system and if the system re-curves, it is likely to further make it slower. This means that the system may become more intense and spend more time in the proximity of Tamil Nadu coast, resulting in good rain over the State, including Chennai, for a prolonged period.

However, there will be no large variation in maximum temperatures till Saturday, said Regional Meteorological Centre officials.

The department issued a warning for fishermen stating that the sea is likely to be rough to very rough over the East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal from April 26 to 30.