Chennai: The weather system over Bay of Bengal, which intensified into a deep depression, is likely to cross the Sri Lanka coast on Friday, reducing chances of heavy rainfall in the city. On Thursday, IMD withdrew the heavy rainfall warning for Chennai and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur for Jan 10, but retained a yellow alert for Chengalpet, warning of heavy rainfall of 6–12cm in 24 hours on the same day.
IMD officials said the city may receive light to moderate intensity rainfall on Friday, with heavier spells largely confined to the delta and adjoining districts. However, bloggers said there remains a possibility of heavy spells in the city, depending on how the system evolves after crossing Sri Lanka.
“On Friday, the city and the surrounding areas may receive one or two spells of light to moderate rainfall over some areas. Partly cloudy skies may keep temperatures at a maximum of 28–29°C and a minimum of around 24°C,” an IMD bulletin said.
The system may bring very heavy rainfall (orange alert) of 12–20 cm in 24 hours to Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, and heavy rainfall to neighbouring districts on Jan 9. On Jan 10, very heavy rainfall may extend to Cuddalore, while Chengalpet may receive heavy spells.
So far this month, the city recorded 21.8mm of rainfall, which is 156% above normal. Nungambakkam observatory logged 30 mm, around 22.7 mm excess, while Meenambakkam recorded 8.5 mm, around 3.5 mm below normal.
Weather blogger Pradeep John said only the high resolution European centre for medium-range weather forecast (ECMWF) model shows the system moving further towards TN bringing rainfall. “The city will get rainfall between Jan 10 and 12. There is also a possibility of light rain spells on Friday night. Even if the rain intensity varies, cloudy weather will keep day temperatures down,” he said.
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