Chennai: The Regional Meteorological Department says heavy rain is likely to hit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next 24 hours, as a low-pressure area
is expected to form over the Southeast Bay of Bengal around October 21. In the next 24 hours, ghat areas in Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Erode, Tiruppur, Theni, and Tenkasi districts in Tamil Nadu, and parts of Kerala, can expect heavy rainfall, said media report. For Chennai and nearby districts, the department predicts one or two spells of light to moderate rain, with chances of thunderstorms and lightning in some areas. Tamil Nadu has already seen heavy rain in the last two to three days, following the North-East Monsoon onset on October 16. In terms of rainfall amounts, Kothagiri in Nilgiris district received the highest at 14 cm, while Sirkali in Mayiladuthurai recorded the lowest at 1 cm in the past 24 hours, reported news agency PTI. In its bulletin on Sunday, the Meteorological department said the Upper Air Cyclonic circulation persists over the South Andaman Sea and the adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal and extends up to 1.5 km above sea level. "Under its influence, a Low Pressure is likely to form over Southeast Bay of Bengal around October 21, 2025. It is likely to move northwestwards and concentrate further into a depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 48 hours," the bulletin said. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail off South Tamil Nadu coast, over Gulf of Mannar and Comorin area.
Advisory Issued
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea. Those fishermen who are out in deep sea over the South Bay of Bengal and adjoining West-central Bay of Bengal are advised to return to coast by the morning of October 21, the bulletin added.
