Depression weakens into low pressure, south TN to see heavy rains

Chennai

“The depression over the Gulf of Mannar close to Ramanathapuram district coast remained practically stationary, weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area and lay centred over the Gulf of Mannar. The associated wind speed is about 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph,” said N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai.

Heavy rainfall is expected in Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Theni, Dindigul, Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts, while districts such as Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi can expect very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms. Moderate rainfall can be expected at isolated areas across the State.

“The depression was caught between the two ridges and was stuck. But it has weakened and it will be pushed aside by low-level easterly winds by tomorrow. I have not personally witnessed something like this in years of tracking weather. Normally, the stalling happens in mid-latitude systems in Gujarat in South West Monsoon,” said weather blogger Pradeep John, who runs the page Tamil Nadu Weatherman.

Chennai saw chilly weather and cloudy skies on Saturday, with overnight rain and showers all through the day. Around 35.4 and 40.6 mm of rainfall was recorded in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam respectively. The recorded maximum temperature at Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam was 26.7 and 26.4 C, and minimum 23.9 and 22 C respectively. Moderate to heavy rainfall, with thundershowers and cloudy skies, are expected in the city over the next 48 hours.