N-E monsoon rain to come down heavier in Tamil Nadu

Low pressure area moves to Gulf of Mannar, may become depression

The low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, which wreaked havoc with heavy and continuous rain in several coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, has moved to the Gulf of Mannar adjoining the southern part of the state.

Under the system’s influence, the state is likely to see more heavy rain. “The well marked low pressure region has moved to the Gulf of Mannar and is adjoining South Tamil Nadu. Under its influence the entire state will receive heavy rain in the next 48 hours,” a senior Met official told Deccan Herald on Thursday evening.

Stating that the North East Monsoon has been vigorous over Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the official said the low pressure region, which might turn into a depression, will further move towards the south.

“Heavy to very heavy rain may occur over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 24 hours,” he said. The Met official said the state government had issued flood warnings near several reservoirs including Bhavanisagar, Mullaiperiyar and Manimuthar, which is almost overflowing due to heavy rain. Water level in the Mettur dam crossed the 100-foot mark against its maximum of 120 feet on Thursday evening.

Fishermen in coastal Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Cuddalore, Ramanathapuram and Chennai have stopped fishing since Tuesday morning due to rough sea conditions and strong offshore winds.

A senior official from Revenue Department, who is monitoring the rain situation in the state, said five fishermen, who had drifted away due to heavy wind, have been rescued by a Coast Guard ship.

The latest weather bulletin said Ramanathapuram district recorded 15 cm of rainfall during the last 24 hours followed by Tiruvarur, which registered 14 cm in the same period.

Widespread landslides were also reported from the high ranges of Nilgris district.  Due to this, Kothagiri and other nearby villages were cut off from contact for many hours.