CHENNAI : The Northeast monsoon has been erratic so far. Three weather systems have come and gone, but only one has brought copious rainfall to the State, especially Chennai, and the other two have failed to measure up to expectations. However, the regional meteorological centre on Monday said a new system was brewing in the Bay of Bengal and according to sources, it would intensify into a cyclone by December 4. “A fresh trough of low pressure at mean sea level currently lies over the Southwest Bay and adjoining Sri Lanka and a low pressure area is likely to form over South Andaman sea and neighbourhood during next 72 hours,” Met officials said. The Met office has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places over the coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
Meanwhile, the previous low pressure area over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining southeast Sri Lanka now lies as a trough of low pressure at mean sea level over the Southeast Arabian Sea and the adjoining Maldives area. Sources said the new system is a cyclonic storm, but its track has to be monitored. It may or may not make a landing close to the Tamil Nadu coast. There are chances that it would move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
As on date, Tamil Nadu is reeling under 18 per cent deficit rainfall with 24 districts recording below average rainfall. The State has received 278.3 mm rain as against the normal 341 mm. As for Chennai, the city has received an excess of 34% rainfall so far. Between October 1 and November 27, Chennai has received 819.4 mm of rainfall as against the normal 610.9 mm, thanks to the 300-mm high-intensity spell recorded on November 2. After that, there hasn’t been any significant action. Though the low pressure formed around November 11 was expected to bring heavy rainfall, it didn’t.
Weathermen said if conditions remained favourable, the first week in December would see some good action.In the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Monday, Rameswaram recorded the highest rainfall of 140 mm followed by Chembarabakkam 120 mm and Meenambakkam and Sirkali weather stations 100 mm each. The Nungambakkam station in Chennai has recorded 60 mm.
Water release from Manimuthar dam on Thursday
Chennai : Chief Minister ‘Edappadi’ K Palaniswami ordered the release of 330 million cubic feet of water from the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli district, following requests from local farmers on Monday. Water will be released for two days starting November 30 and is expected to irrigate 2,756 acres of agricultural land in the district, according to a release from the government.
Pambar reservoir to be opened for irrigation today
Chennai : Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday ordered the release of 217.50 million cubic feet of water from the Pambar reservoir, following requests from local agriculturists. Water from the reservoir will be released on Tuesday and is expected to help irrigate 4,000 acres of agricultural land in Krishnagiri district.
A part of the compound wall of Semmozhi Poonga in Teynampet collapsed early on Monday following heavy rains, damaging two cars. According to residents near the botanical park, this was not the first time this has happened. “It is happening almost every year now. The authorities fix it but the wall keeps falling,” said the owner of one of the cars that were damaged, requesting anonymity PIX: D SAMPATHKUMAR