Isolated heavy rainfall predicted for two days in coastal regions

Indicating the possibility of a severe cyclonic storm, the India Meteorological Department has forecast that it may bring light to moderate rainfall over many places and heavy rain in isolated places in north coastal parts of the State on April 30 and May 1.

According to IMD officials, the depression is located 1,440 km southeast of Chennai over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Saturday evening and a severe cyclonic storm on April 30 when it nears the north Tamil Nadu coast. There would be more clarity on the cyclone track during the weekend.

S. Balachandran, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said, “The weather system is showing variations daily. One or two places in north coastal areas may receive heavy rainfall on April 30 and May 1 according to Friday’s position. Many places in northern parts, including Chennai, may receive light to moderate rain. The system is still over a thousand km away and its location and movement will determine the intensity of rainfall.”

The department has also forecast squally wind with a speed gusting up to 115 km per hour along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coast.

Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea on April 30 and those who are in deep sea have been advised to return by Sunday.

Review meeting

On Friday, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan chaired a meeting at the Secretariat to review the precautionary measures being undertaken by various government agencies in view of the depression in the Bay.

Director General of Police T.K. Rajendran, Commissioner of Revenue Administration K. Satyagopal, Relief Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, officials from the Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force participated. Mr. Satyagopal told reporters that various government agencies were taking stock of the situation and would finalise deployment of rescue and relief teams. Presently, four NDRF teams were based in Arakkonam and two in Chennai and depending on the situation, their deployment would be finalised, he said.