CHENNAI: After wreaking havoc in Chennai on Monday, Cyclone Vardah has weakened considerably and is now a well marked low pressure area over North Interior Tamil Nadu and adjoining South Interior Karnataka. Officials at the meteorological department said the weather system had taken a westward direction after its landfall. With loss of intensity, it had gradually weakened into a depression early on Tuesday morning, followed by its present status as low pressure area.
However, S Balachandran, Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said Vardah still carried a threat of rainfall in the western districts of the state. "There will be widespread moderate rainfall and isolated instances of heavy in one or two places in the districts of Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem and Namakkal on Wednesday," he said.
Chennai having taken a severe hit would be spared of any new rainfall as Balachandran ruled out its possibility. Nevertheless, the skies over the city would remain cloudy.
Giving out the first scientific data associated with Vardah, the senior meterological officer said when the west part of the cyclone crossed the coast, the maximum wind speed of 114 kmph was recorded by the Nungambakkam observatory, followed by 72 kmph wind speed recorded when the cyclone's east part crossed. He said other data would be released in the next few days.
During the 24 hour period, ending on 8.30 am on Tuesday, Satyabama University (Kancheepuram district) was the wettest place in the state. The automatic rain gauge installed in the University recorded a massive 38 cm rain. The second wettest was Kattukuppam (also in Kancheepuram district) where 34 cm rain was measured.
As a result of the latest rains, Balachandran noted that the deficit for the North East Monsoon (October -December) has come down to 61per cent from the earlier 67 per cent.
Rainfall
Kancheepuram (28), Poonamallee (22), Chembarabakkam (21), Chennai Airport-20, Sriperumbudur (17), Chembarambakkam (16), Tambaram (14), Nugambakkam (12)