• By Nidhi Giri
  • Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:36 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Chennai Weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Chennai and forecast week-long rain. Additionally, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a third-level cyclone alert for seven Tamil Nadu ports, including: Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ennore, Kattupalli, Puducherry, and Karaikal. This alert has been raised as a low-pressure system over the central western Bay of Bengal has weakened into a depression.

Chennai Weather On Dec 25

The weather department has forecast rain and strong winds on December 25, as a low-pressure system moves west-southwest toward the southwest Bay of Bengal, near the coasts of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh. 

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In late November, Cyclone Fengal struck Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, causing severe damage. The cyclone, which occurred between November 29 and December 1, claimed 12 lives and inundated 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural land, leading to heavy losses for farmers. It also caused extensive infrastructure damage, affecting 1,649 kilometres of electric conductors, 23,664 electric poles, 997 transformers, 9,576 kilometres of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 water tanks. Around 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals were impacted by the cyclone's aftermath.

In response, Chief Minister MK Stalin requested Rs 2,000 crore in interim relief from the National Disaster Response Fund, while the Central government approved Rs 944 crore for relief efforts. The initial damage assessment estimated losses at Rs 2,475 crore, required for relief and reconstruction.

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The ongoing northeast monsoon has brought heavy rains to Tamil Nadu, with rainfall 14 per cent above average. Tamil Nadu recorded 447 mm of rain against the usual 393 mm, while Chennai saw 845 mm (16 per cent above average) and Coimbatore experienced a 47 per cent increase in rainfall.

The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) reports that many reservoirs across the state are near full capacity. 12 reservoirs, including three in Coimbatore, seven in Madurai, and two in Chennai, are at 100 per cent capacity. 18 reservoirs have surpassed 90 per cent capacity, and 23 are between 70 per cent and 80 per cent full.

(With IANS Inputs)