Low pressure area to intensify into depression, southern states to receive rain next week: IMD

Chennai, November 28

A low pressure area over south Andaman Sea and adjoining Bay of Bengal was “very likely” to concentrate into a depression in the next 48 hours and intensify further before moving towards the Tamil Nadu coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

Under its influence, various parts in southern states were likely to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall starting December 1, the IMD said in release.

“A low pressure area has formed over South Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of Southeast Bay of Bengal & east Equatorial Indian Ocean (on) November 28.

It is very likely to concentrate into a Depression during next 48 hours and intensify further thereafter”, it said.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and reach the south Tamil Nadu coast on December 2.

The weather office forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls as “very likely over” south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala on December 2.

Further, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely over these regions on December 1 and 3.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places was very likely over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Mahe and Karaikal and north Kerala from Tuesday to Thursday, the IMD said.

It further forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalseema, south interior Karnataka and Lakshadweep during this period.

Warning of rough sea conditions, the IMD asked fishermen not to venture into the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea, central parts of South Bay of Bengal on, along and off Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, Kerala coast, Comorin area and Gulf of Mannar from Saturday to Thursday.

Squally weather would prevail over these areas.

Meanwhile, the IMD issued an ‘Orange’ alert for Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts in Kerala on December 1 and for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts on December 2 following the low pressure area.

Yellow alert has been sounded for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kottayam districts on Tuesday and for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and idukki districts on Wednesday, it said.

Orange alert indicates heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 20 cm of rain, while yellow alert is heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm. PTI