‘Low’ forms in Bay, but excess rain moving to South TN

At long last, the hyperactive trough in South-West Bay of Bengal has given birth to a low-pressure area. But the excess rainfall belt is moving from Chennai to the southern districts and adjoining Kerala.

Under the influence of the ‘low,’ the North-East monsoon has been ‘vigorous’ over Kerala and active over Tamil Nadu, an update from Regional Met Centre, Chennai, said.

Rainfall occurred at many places over Tamil Nadu and Kerala and at a few places over Rayalaseema and south interior Karnataka during the 24 hours ending on Thursday morning.

Isolated rainfall was reported from coastal Andhra Pradesh, north interior and coastal Karnataka.

The chief amounts of rainfall (recorded in cm) during the 24 hours ending on Thursday morning are: Cuddalore-13; Srivilliputhur-12; Peraiyur- 11; Valangaiman-9; Panruti-8; Puducherry, Mudukulatur, Cheranmahadevi and Kadaladi-7 each. The forecast for the next three to four days indicated that the excess rainfall belt is leaving Chennai to the South, adjoining Kerala and Lakshadweep.

Friday: Heavy rainfall at a few places with very heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and heavy at isolated places over interior Tamil Nadu.

Saturday: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and heavy at isolated places over interior Tamil Nadu.

Sunday: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kerala and heavy at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

Monday: Heavy to very rainfall over Kerala and heavy rainfall at isolated places over south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

The number of districts in Chennai receiving more than 100 per cent of their normal rainfall thus far during the North-East monsoon season has risen to six.

Of these, Kancheepuram has recorded 216 per cent. It was followed by the neighbouring Tiruvallur (186 per cent) and Vellore (149 per cent), indicating how belligerent the rains have been in north Tamil Nadu.

Next in the ranking was Chennai with 130 per cent and Tirunelveli and Villupuram with an identical 111 per cent each.