RMC forecasts another developing weather system over the Bay

Weather system brewing in Bay of Bengal may bring heavy rain to Tamil Nadu, improving reservoir storage.

Another weather system, which has the potential to bring heavy rain over some coastal and delta districts from December 11, is brewing in the Bay of Bengal

With widespread rain easing over the State,after Cyclone Fengal left a trail of floods, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, is monitoring the new weather system that is likely to develop as a low pressure area over south Bay of Bengal on Saturday.

S. Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said the weather models indicated that the system was likely to move west-northwestwards and reach southwest Bay of Bengal off the Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coasts around December 12. “We expect rainfall to pick up on Wednesday. Six districts, including Mayiladuthurai and Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal [in Puducherry] have been given a yellow warning [alert], indicating chances of heavy rain on December 11. Rainfall of moderate to heavy intensity can be expected over many coastal places on December 12,” he added.

Heavy rainfall was likely in nine districts, including Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, and Nagapattinam, and Karaikal in Puducherry on December 12.

Officials of the Meteorological department, however, added that chances were slim for the weather disturbance to develop into a depression. The weather system was being tracked for its path and the extent of rainfall.

Chennai woke up to misty mornings due to factors such as high pressure in the upper atmosphere, resulting in a clear sky and cool night temperature, officials said.

Since October 1, the State has recorded nearly 45 cm of rainfall – 18% more than its seasonal average. Most districts, barring a few such as Thoothukudi and Tenkasi, are either rain-surplus or those with normal seasonal rainfall.