LAX/Low pressure area that has formed over Bay of Bengal on October 14 sets the stage for widespread rainfall over TN

A low-pressure area that formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal during the early hours of Monday (October 14, 2024) would set the stage for widespread rainfall over north Tamil Nadu and herald the onset of the Northeast monsoon over the State.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, has forecast heavy rainspells, set to begin over north TN and delta districts, on Monday (October 14, 2024) would intensify on October 15 and October 16.

Rainfall would pick up pace gradually from Monday (October 14, 2024) and spread across these regions during the week.

On Monday (October 14, 2024), heavy to very heavy rainfall of up to 12 cm would occur in isolated places in nine districts, including Villupuram, Cuddalore and Pudukottai. Chennai and its neighbouring districts and some north TN parts would receive heavy rains.

Intense rainfall may lash isolated places in eight districts, including Chennai and its surrounding districts on October 15. Chennai and neighbouring districts may have to brace for an extremely heavy rainfall of above 20 cm in isolated places on October 16.

According to RMC, Chennai, on Monday (October 14, 2024), the latest observations show that the low pressure area is likely to become a well marked low pressure area and move towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south AP coasts in the next two days.

Moreover, the depression over the central Arabian Sea also persists and is likely to move towards the Oman coast during next two days. The interaction between the two weather systems would push moisture-laden clouds into the region and cause intense rainfall.

Several weather stations had recorded rainfall of moderate to heavy intensity across the State till 6 a.m. on Monday (October 14, 2024). They include Coimbatore (6 cm), Salem and Ramanathapuram (4 cm each).

Budalur in Thanjavur district received the heaviest rainfall of 12 cm in the State during the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Monday (October 14, 2024). Among the other places that received heavy rainfall were Karaikal and Coimbatore South (8 cm each); Andipatti in Theni district, Hindustan University in Kancheepuram district, DGP Office in Chennai and Sattur in Virudhunagar district (7 cm each).

In and around Chennai, automatic rain gauges in places like VIT University and YMCA Nandanam (5 cm), Meenambakkam, Puzhal and Nungambakkam (2 cm each) recorded rainfall.

The withdrawal of Southwest monsoon in one or two days would pave way for simultaneous setting in of easterly and northeasterly winds and the NE monsoon rainfall over TN, said a bulletin of India Meteorological Department.