Fresh spell likely to last for 24 hrs in Tamil Nadu: RMC

CHENNAI: The intense rain lashed Chennai and its neighbouring districts on Monday due to the atmospheric circulation prevailing over north Kerala. It has impacted the normal life of the people. The heavy spell is likely to continue over north coast Tamil Nadu for the next 24 hours, predicted the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) on Monday.

“Due to the prevailing circulation over Kerala, north coastal and interior districts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Cuddalore are likely to receive heavy rain for the next 24 hours. The rest of the state is expected to receive light to moderate rain for the next few days, ” said Dr S Balachandran, Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, RMC.

The official added that the northeast monsoon has been vigorous for TN. From October 1 – December 12; the state received an average rainfall of 400 mm. Several districts such as Chennai, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Thiruvallur, and Vellore recorded more rainfall after cyclone Mandous made landfall.

The upper air atmospheric circulation prevailing over north Kerala will move towards the southeast Arabian Sea. A low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region in the next 24 hours. It will further move west-northwest. There won’t be any impact for Tamil Nadu due to the low-pressure area.

As per RMC, in the last 24 hours, Chennai Nungambakkam recorded 19 mm rainfall, Meenambakkam 22 mm, Madhavaram 21 mm, Pallikaranai 33 mm, Cuddalore and Tiruvallur 24 mm each, Kancheepuram 42 mm, and Erode 22 mm rainfall.

Meanwhile, the water in the catchment of reservoirs has increased after Chennai and its neighbouring districts witnessed heavy rain for the past two days. The Water Resources Department (WRD) increased the water outflow from Chembarambakkam reservoir from 2,000 cusecs to 3,000 cusecs.

The dam shutters were opened on December 9 with 100 cusecs of water released from three major reservoirs. The department continues to monitor the water level in the reservoir catchment.