The RMC has also said the rainfall activity was picking up gradually improving the seasonal rainfall status this month.
Published May 22, 2024 | 11:57 AM ⚊ Updated May 22, 2024 | 1:11 PM
Rainfall (Creative Commons)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its bulletin on Wednesday, 22 May, confirmed that a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) has formed over the Southwest Bay of Bengal.
The LPA is likely to bring intense spells of rainfall in the coastal and southern districts of Tamil Nadu, along with southern Kerala, coastal Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The bulletin further read, “Under the influence of the cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal; a Low-Pressure Area has formed over Southwest adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal off north Tamil Nadu-South Andhra Pradesh coasts with associated cyclonic circulation extending upto 5.8 km above mean sea level. It is very likely to move northeastwards and concentrate into a Depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by the morning of 24 May, 2024.”
Low Pressure area formed over Southwest adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal. To move northeastwards and concentrate into Depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by 24th Morning. Continue to move northeastwards and intensify further thereafter.
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 22, 2024
Many districts of Tamil Nadu continued to receive sharp showers, with Azhiyar in Coimbatore recording the highest rainfall of 15 cm in the last 24 hours.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), in Chennai, Thirumoorthi Dam and Amaravathy Dam — both in Tiruppur district — received 14 cm and 12 cm rainfall, respectively, in the 24-hour period ending 8.30 am Wednesday. Various places in districts including Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore and Sivaganga received sharp showers.
The weather office forecast heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places over Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Virudhunagar districts on Thursday.
Further, heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Madurai, Dindigul, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Thoothukudi districts, it added.
In its warning for fishermen for 23 May, the RMC said squally weather with wind speed reaching 50 kmph to 60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph was likely to prevail over Southeast and Eastcentral Bay of Bengal.
Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 45 kmph to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to prevail along and off the Kerala coast, over the Comorin Area, Gulf of Mannar, and adjoining south Tamil Nadu coast, south and adjoining central Bay of Bengal.
“Fishermen are advised not to venture into the above sea areas,” it added.
The RMC also predicted rainfall accompanied by thunders and lightning in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, Ranipettai, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamilnadu and Karaikal area, on Wednesday.
— Tamilnadu Weather-IMD (@ChennaiRmc) May 22, 2024
It said the rainfall activity was picking up gradually improving the seasonal rainfall status this month.
Due to the current enhanced rain spell from 16- 19 May, the rainfall status improved to 27 percent (in four days), 10 percent on 20 May, and on Tuesday, 21 May alone, it improved to 16 percent, the RMC said in its bulletin.
— Tamilnadu Weather-IMD (@ChennaiRmc) May 22, 2024
Puduchatram in Namakkal district received a maximum rainfall of 16 cm on Monday.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Azhiyar, in the Coimbatore district received 15 cm of rainfall, followed by 14 cm in Tiruppur.
Owing to the heavy rainfall the Kurichi pond in Tiruppur has overflown. District Collector T Chrishturaj along with other officials has inspected the situation.
#திருப்பூர் மாவட்டம், ஊத்துக்குளி ஊராட்சி ஒன்றியம், குறிச்சி ஊராட்சி, குறிச்சி குளம் அதிக மழைப்பொழிவால் நிரம்பி வழிவதை பார்வையிட்டு ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்ட போது pic.twitter.com/L2TQV2v3kw
— District Collector Tiruppur (@TPRDtCollector) May 22, 2024
(With PTI inputs)
