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South Tamil Nadu, South Kerala to expect heavy rains on 17 December; ‘orange’ alert issued

The cyclonic circulation is expected to move in a northwestward direction, with increased rain over South Tamil Nadu, South Kerala on 17 December.

BySouth First Desk

Published Dec 17, 2023 | 3:25 AM ⚊UpdatedDec 17, 2023 | 3:25 AM

Kerala rains, Tamil Nadu rains, cyclonic circulation

Cyclonic circulation over South Tamil Nadu and South Kerala. (IMD website)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday, 16 December, issued an orange alert in some districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu with predictions of isolated very heavy rains on Sunday.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki districts in Kerala were placed under the orange alert, the IMD said.

Similarly, an orange alert has been issued for some districts in South Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea in these areas until 19 December.

#OrangeAlert 🌧️☔️

South Tamil Nadu is likely to get isolated Heavy to Very Heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4 mm) during 16th & 17th December. Stay safe and stay prepared! pic.twitter.com/KDwGTRo0cn

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 16, 2023

Also Read: Parts of TN receive rain post-cyclone; more likely in next three days

Cyclonic circulation

On 15 December, a cyclonic circulation was seen over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean in the lower tropospheric levels. By 16 December, the circulation lay over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean.

The cyclonic circulation is expected to move in a northwestward direction, with increased rain over South Tamil Nadu and South Kerala on Sunday.

In Tamil Nadu, the districts of Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari are expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall (rainfall up to 15 cm) on Sunday. This will reduce to moderate to heavy rainfall the following day.

In Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki districts are expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on Sunday.

#OrangeAlert

South Kerala is expected to receive Heavy to Very Heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4 mm) on 17th December. Be prepared and stay safe! pic.twitter.com/BVVyIgOfTU

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 16, 2023

Also under the influence of this cyclonic circulation are strong easterly-northeasterly winds — squally winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 55 kmph — along the Tamil Nadu coast, Sri Lanka coast, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, southeast Arabian Sea, and South Kerala.