There seems to be no respite from floods in Tamil Nadu with the weather department saying rain will continue to lash the state for next one week and next 48 hours will be very crucial. The coastal state is also expected to be hit by an anti-cyclone this week which will bring heavy rains.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the state which receives rainfall from northeast monsoon has so far received 50 percent higher rainfall than average for the season. The spread of excess rainfall in various districts ranges from 10 percent to 150 percent above normal.
IMD Director General attributed the phenomenon to trough of low (some system) over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka off Tamil Nadu coast.
“The phenomenon will continue for the next seven days but the next 48 hours are very crucial. Neighbouring states will also see rainfall activity. The state will see an anti-cyclone activity which will be associated with heavy rains at some places," said Rathore.
A warning has also been issued for coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh especially Nellore and Chittoor, interior Tamil Nadu and Rayalseema region of Andhra Pradesh.
Rathore said almost all districts of Tamil Nadu have received excess rainfall ranging from 10 to 150 percent.
Districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Tirunveliveli received 154 percent, 139 percent, 136 percent and 110 percent excess precipitation respectively so far while Chennai has seen 89 percent more than normal rainfall this season.
Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar refused to link the TN rains to climate change and said it is a natural calamity. While his colleague and Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said such events are result of global warming.
“What has happened in Chennai over last ten days is absolutely a very serious situation this can’t be directly attributed to climate change. It is a natural calamity but this calamity needs to be tackled effectively,” said Javadekar.
The minister said that extreme events like TN floods are result of increased frequency of irregular monsoon. He said that to prevent any damage caused in such events, we need to keep our drains clean and open and must allow water to flow naturally.
IMD chief also hinted TN floods cause of changing climate resulting in warming of ocean.
“There is increase in extreme weather event and reduction in number of rain days and there is also global warming,” he added.