Depression Over Bay Of Bengal Crosses Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh Coast; IMD Shares Important Update

As per the latest update shared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday, the depression over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal crossed north Tamil Nadu - South Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore, close to north of Chennai, around 04:30 hrs IST on October 17.

Subsequently, it has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area and lay over South coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining North coastal Tamil Nadu at 05:30 hrs IST. It will continue to move west-northwestwards and weaken further into a low-pressure area during next 12 hours.

As the depression moves inland, interior areas of Peninsular India will see rains at many places. For the next few days, Tamil Nadu including places like Chennai will receive moderate rains.

As per various forecast models, it was expected that the depression is likely to move into east-central on October 19 and move further west-northwards till October 22.

The NCUM group of models did not indicate any intensification of the system beyond a depression. They also indicated the system's movement towards the north Tamil Nadu coast and the emergence of the low-pressure area into east-central on October 18.

ECMWF model also indicated a depression to form on October 16 and further weaken into a low marked pressure area. The path projected by this model indicated the system will move west-northwestwards and cross Tamil Nadu and South Andhra coast on October 17.

Sky condition is likely to be generally cloudy. Isolated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with thunderstorms & lightning is likely to occur. Temperature is likely to be around 26-27°C.

Despite the weakening of the depression, the Met department has continued to issue Orange and Yellow alerts for many places across Tamil Nadu on the possibility of very heavy rainfall for October 17.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places over Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Tirupattur, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Chennai districts and Puducherry.

Heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places over Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts.

Thunderstorms with lightning is also likely to occur at one or two places over the Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal areas.

Squally weather with wind speed up to 40 kmph to 50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph to prevail over the North Tamil Nadu coast until October 20. Squally weather with wind speed up to 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph will continue to prevail over the South Tamil Nadu Coast, Gulf of Mannar and Comorin areas.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the above-sea areas during this period