CHENNAI: Vardah, the third cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal this season, may bring the much needed-rains in the State.
Under its influence, northern districts and Puducherry are expected to receive rain during the next three days. Significantly, an alert about heavy rain on Monday has been issued for Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Tiruvannamalai districts.
Having intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, Vardah is currently moving towards Andhra Pradesh coast, where it is expected to make a landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam by the evening of December 12 (Monday).
According to met officials, the system is likely to move west-northwestwards and further intensify slightly during the next 24 hours.
It is likely to weaken gradually while moving towards Andhra Pradesh coast.
As winds reaching a speed of 50kmph and rough sea conditions are expected from Sunday night, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea off Andhra Pradesh and North Tamil Nadu coast.
Although the weather system was initially expected not to impact Tamil Nadu, reeling under a poor monsoon, meteorological department officials say the influence of Vardah is likely to be felt in the northern areas.
As of Saturday, the State had received 132.5mm against the normal 397.1 mm rain, resulting in a deficit of 67 per cent.