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The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in India has issued a 'yellow' alert for 19 districts in Tamil Nadu, predicting heavy rainfall over the next two days. This weather phenomenon is attributed to a cyclonic system and an upper air circulation over the sea. The affected districts include Coimbatore, Tiruppur, The Nilgiris, Madurai, Erode, Virudhunagar, Theni, Dindigul, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Ramanathapuram, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Thoothukudi, and Sivaganga.
The RMC has reported that a cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Mannar has weakened, while an upper air circulation continues over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the south Andhra coast. Extended-range predictions indicate below-normal rainfall for coastal Tamil Nadu but anticipate above-average rainfall in other parts of the state until November 7. From November 8 to 14, near-normal to slightly above-normal rainfall is expected in many areas of Tamil Nadu.
In light of the anticipated strong winds, fishermen have been advised to refrain from venturing into the sea for the next 48 hours. These winds are expected to reach speeds of 35-45 kmph, with gusts up to 55 kmph along the southern Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar, and around the Cameron region. This weather event is linked to the Northeast Monsoon, which commenced on October 17 and has already delivered substantial rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast normal to above-normal rainfall for northern Tamil Nadu and normal rainfall for southern parts of the state, despite significant rains already experienced in many southern districts. The IMD expects the southern peninsular region, encompassing Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, to receive 112 per cent of the long-term average rainfall of 33.4 cm for the October-December season. Tamil Nadu typically experiences an average of 44 cm during the northeast monsoon period.
The Tamil Nadu Health Department has issued a public health advisory, urging caution regarding the spread of contagious diseases such as dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, and influenza. Since January 2024, Tamil Nadu has recorded 18,000 dengue cases. To prevent mosquito breeding, residents are advised to eliminate stagnant water from their premises. The Health Department has established monsoon health camps across the state to identify cases of dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, influenza, and other diseases.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian has highlighted that the department is closely monitoring vector-borne diseases, particularly dengue, which is prevalent in 10 districts: Chennai, Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Tiruppur, Tiruvallur, Theni, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur, and Tiruchi. These districts account for 57 per cent of the total dengue cases in Tamil Nadu. Dr. T. S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, has reported that the health department is actively tracking fever-related cases in both government and private hospitals.
The public is advised to avoid storing rainwater in discarded items, which can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Additionally, consuming only boiled water is recommended to prevent waterborne diseases. These measures, along with the health department's efforts, aim to mitigate the potential health risks associated with the heavy rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu.
Source: Weather department issues yellow alert for 19 districts in Tamil Nadu