CHENNAI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris, as cyclonic storm Murasu is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast late on Monday night.
North TN districts and ghat areas may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, on Monday, the IMD said.
Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts will remain closed on Monday in view of the heavy rainfall forecast.
In a bulletin issued on Sunday, the IMD said Murasu was centred about 480 km east-southeast of Chennai over the Bay of Bengal. It is likely to continue moving west-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning. It is then expected to turn northwestwards and cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11.30 pm on Monday and 4 am on Tuesday. During the landfall period, the cyclone is predicted to bring sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, with powerful gusts reaching up to 120 kmph.
Squally winds of 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, have also been forecast at several places in Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts and Puducherry throughout the day.
North TN, Pondy may receive moderate rain
On Tuesday, heavy rain is forecast only for the Nilgiris, while north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may receive moderate rain at isolated places. Light to moderate rain is likely over the state for the rest of the week. In the 24 hours ending at 8.30am on Sunday, rain occurred at isolated places in Tamil Nadu, with Coonoor in the Nilgiris recording the highest, 69.7 mm.