Yellow-level cyclone alert for south TN and Kerala, heavy rain likely

Chennai

“It is very likely to move west-northwestward and cross Sri Lanka coast close to Trincomalee during the evening/night of December 2 as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph. It is very likely to move nearly westward thereafter, emerge into the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Comorin area on December 3 morning. It would then move nearly west-southwestward and cross the south Tamil Nadu coast between Kanniyakumari and Pamban early on December 4,” said N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai.

From December 2, wind speeds between 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph can be expected over Comorin area, the Gulf of Mannar, and south Tamil Nadu coasts. Districts like Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram can expect strong winds on December 2.

It will gradually increase to speeds between 55-65 kmph to 75 kmph on the morning of December 3. The winds will blow over the south Kerala coast, Lakshadweep-Maldives area and the southeast Arabian Sea. By evening on December 3, wind speeds are expected to be between 70-80 kmph gusting at 90 kmph.

These districts can expect heavy rain, while other coastal districts in north Tamil Nadu will see moderate rain. Additionally, districts like Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts and Karaikal can expect heavy rain. In Chennai, the skies will remain partly cloudy and thunderstorms with light to moderate rains are expected over the next 48 hours. Temperatures are expected to be between 30 and 22 degrees C.