Rains forecast in TN as depression set to cross state coast

Chennai, May 15: A low pressure area over the Indian Ocean has become well-marked and was likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Nagapattinam on Tuesday after intensifying as a deep depression, bringing in heavy rains in parts of the state, the India meteorological Department (IMD) said today.

The low pressure area over equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal had become 'well-marked' and lay over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka, an IMD bulletin said.

"The system is likely to move northwestwards and concentrate into a depression during next 24 hours. It is likely to continue northwestwards and further concentrate into a deep depression and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Nagapattinam around May 17 morning," it said.

The weather office forecast "heavy to very heavy rain" likely at one or two places in Tamil Nadu and Puduchery on May 17 even as many parts in the state received good amounts of rainfall, bringing respite from the scorching May heat. Already several interior parts in the state have started receiving summer rains.

In the last 24 hours ended 8.30 AM today, Avinasi (Tirupur dt) and Eraniel (Kanyakumari dt) received 5 cm each while Periyanaickenpalayam (Coimbatore) and Vedaranyam (Nagapattinam) recorded 4 cm each rainfall.

Good rainfall was also recorded at several places in Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, Erode, Thoothukudi and Madurai districts, the weather office said. It forecast generally cloudy skies in Chennai for the next 24 hours.

PTI