A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Sri Lanka coast has intensified further and is likely to strengthen into a cyclonic storm by Thursday evening, meteorological officials said on Nov. 27. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, cautioned that the system could bring widespread rainfall over parts of southern and northern Tamil Nadu over the next two days.
According to the RMC, the weather system is currently moving northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and the Sri Lankan coastline. It is expected to progress towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast by Saturday. With further intensification anticipated, the system is expected to be named Cyclone Ditwah once it attains cyclonic storm status.
The name Ditwah has been contributed by Yemen and is part of the list of cyclone names finalised by member countries of the World Meteorological Organisation and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
Meteorologists have reiterated forecasts of heavy rainfall over south Tamil Nadu and delta districts on Thursday, followed by a marked increase in rainfall activity across the state from Friday. Delta and nearby districts are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall on Friday, while heavy showers are expected to spread towards north Tamil Nadu districts by Saturday as the system tracks along the coast.
Rainfall intensity in the southern districts had eased on Wednesday after several days of continuous showers. During the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, only isolated light rainfall was recorded across the region. Thangachimadam in Ramanathapuram district received the highest rainfall of 3 cm, while Oothu in Tirunelveli district reported 1 cm.
In view of the expected intensification of the system, the RMC has advised that storm warning signals be hoisted at key ports including Chennai, Cuddalore, Ennore, Thoothukudi, Nagapattinam and Karaikal. Mariners have been warned not to venture into the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining sea areas until further advisories are issued.
The latest weather bulletin also indicates the possibility of isolated light rainfall over Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts as the deep depression continues to consolidate over the ocean.
Meanwhile, Cyclone Senyar, currently centred over the coastal regions of northeast Indonesia and the adjoining Strait of Malacca, is expected to drift eastwards while maintaining cyclonic storm intensity. The RMC clarified that Cyclone Senyar poses no threat to Tamil Nadu and is not expected to influence weather conditions over the state.
