The north coastal region of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, is experiencing northeast monsoon rains again, due to the formation of a new low-pressure area over the southeast of the Bay of Bengal and the South Andaman Sea early Friday, October 24.
The RMC of Chennai has also announced the formation of a new low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal, which is set to bring heavy rains to the northern districts of Tamil Nadu from Sunday. As a consequence of that, the RMC raised an ‘Orange alert’ for Tamil Nadu.
What is an Orange Alert?
An Orange alert typically means 'Be Prepared to Take Action', which indicates moderate danger as well as an advisory for people to take shelter as soon as possible, as any form of life-threatening situation may occur.
By Saturday, October 25, the low-pressure system is predicted to deepen into a depression over the southeast and neighbouring central Bay of Bengal as it shifts west-northwest. It is predicted to develop into a deep depression by Sunday, October 26, and a cyclonic storm over the southwest and nearby west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning, October 27.
According to the latest RMC Kolkata bulletin, in the next week, on October 28, “Light to moderate rain or thundershower very likely to occur at many places over South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts and at a few places over rest of the districts of South Bengal with Heavy rain (07-11 cm) likely to occur at one or two places over South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts. Also, Thunderstorm with gusty wind (30-40 kmph) and lightning likely to occur at one or two places over North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram, East and West Midnapore districts of South Bengal.”
Advisory from RMC Kolkata
People of South Bengal are advised to avoid taking shelter under trees/electric poles and avoid contact with water bodies.
People can take shelter in a safe place during an intense spell of rain/thunderstorm.
RMC Kolkata suggests that the movement of traffic may be regulated judiciously.
It is advised that farmers keep the mature harvested crops in a safe place.
This low-pressure area is likely to continue moving nearly north-northeastwards across the east-central Arabian Sea over the next 24 hours.
