Amid intense cold conditions, a fresh cause for concern has emerged from India’s coastal regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of
Bengal and the adjoining eastern equatorial Indian Ocean is rapidly intensifying and may develop into a deep depression within the next 12 hours.
As a result, weather conditions across large parts of South India are expected to remain unstable over the coming days.
Low-Pressure System Likely To Intensify
According to the IMD, the low-pressure area has moved west-north-west at a speed of around 18 kilometres per hour over the past six hours. There is a strong likelihood that it will intensify into a deep depression within the next 12 hours. Subsequently, the system is expected to continue moving west-north-west and cross the southwest Bay of Bengal, bringing widespread rainfall activity to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal from Thursday onwards.
The IMD has issued alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal starting Thursday. Alongside heavy rain, warnings have also been issued for strong winds and rough sea conditions.
Districts Likely To Receive Heavy To Very Heavy Rain
Due to the developing system, coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, and Karaikal.
Heavy rain warnings have also been issued for Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Chengalpattu districts.
On January 10, rainfall intensity may increase further, with a higher likelihood of thunderstorms across both coastal and interior districts. Very heavy rainfall is possible in Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Chengalpattu, while heavy rainfall is expected in Chennai, Puducherry, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Kanchipuram, and neighbouring districts.
Gradual Reduction In Rainfall After January 11
On January 11 and 12, the intensity of rainfall is expected to gradually decrease. However, some parts of northern coastal Tamil Nadu and adjoining interior regions may still experience spells of heavy rain.
The IMD has warned of strong winds ranging between 35 and 45 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 55 kilometres per hour, over the Bay of Bengal, Sri Lanka coast, Gulf of Mannar, and the Comorin area.
Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea over the next few days due to dangerous conditions.
Cold And Fog Continue To Grip North India
While southern India remains on alert for heavy rain and strong winds, northern, central, and eastern parts of the country continue to face severe cold and dense fog. According to the IMD, western disturbances and an active subtropical western jet stream are responsible for cold wave conditions across large parts of North India.
Several areas in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and north-central Madhya Pradesh have recorded cold day to severe cold day conditions. Some parts of eastern Rajasthan are experiencing ‘severe cold day’ situations. Cold day warnings have also been issued for parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Bihar.
Weather Outlook For Delhi-NCR
In Delhi-NCR, moderate to dense fog is expected during morning hours, which may reduce visibility and disrupt road and rail traffic. The IMD has stated that minimum temperatures in the capital are unlikely to change significantly over the next two days. However, around January 10, temperatures may rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius before falling again.
Maximum temperatures are expected to remain below normal, keeping daytime conditions cold.
Cold Wave Alert For Central And Eastern India
Cold wave conditions are likely in eastern Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Cold day warnings have also been issued for Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Dense morning fog may impact daily life and transportation in these regions.
Frost And Fog Warnings In The NE And Hill States
In Assam and Meghalaya, there is a possibility of ground frost at isolated locations. Dense fog warnings have been issued for Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir may also experience dense fog and cold conditions during mornings and nights. According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation is active at altitudes between 3.1 and 5.8 kilometres over Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas.
Additionally, a strong subtropical western jet stream, with wind speeds of around 130 knots at an altitude of 12.6 kilometres, is present over North India, contributing to cold winds and a further drop in temperatures.
