The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, reported that a well-marked low-pressure area in the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression moving west-northwestwards at 18 kmph. This system is expected to become a deep depression in the next 15 hours, leading to widespread rainfall and rough sea conditions along parts of the Tamil Nadu coast.
As a result of this weather system, a yellow alert has been issued for several districts including Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, and Nagapattinam, warning of heavy rainfall at isolated places on Thursday and Friday. RMC Chennai head B. Amudha mentioned that cyclonic activity in January is not unusual, with historical data showing 20 cyclonic disturbances forming during this month between 1891 and 2024.
The weather department forecasts light to moderate rain in isolated areas of Tamil Nadu on January 8, with more rainfall expected in coastal regions and some interior parts. An orange alert has been issued for specific districts on January 9 and 10, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall during these days.
A yellow alert will be in effect on January 10 and 11 for additional districts, with warnings of squally weather along the Tamil Nadu coast and rough to very rough sea conditions expected from January 8 to 10. Fishermen are advised against venturing into the sea, particularly in specific areas, and those already at sea have been urged to avoid certain coastal waters over the next two days.
