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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stark warning for residents of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, bracing for a deluge of heavy rainfall expected to persist through December 11th and 12th. The cause, according to the IMD, is a significant 'well-marked low-pressure area' currently positioned over the southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal. This meteorological event necessitates a tiered alert system, with an 'orange alert' signifying the severity of the impending weather in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe, indicating the high probability of heavy rain and associated risks. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and South Interior Karnataka, however, are under a 'yellow alert', signifying a slightly less severe but still significant risk of heavy precipitation. The IMD has meticulously tracked the system's movement, noting its upper air cyclonic circulation extends to mid-tropospheric levels and is projected to move west-northwest towards the Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coast within the next 24 hours.
The predicted rainfall is far from uniform across the affected regions. While many parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal can expect light to moderate rain on December 11th, interspersed with potential thunderstorms and lightning, specific districts are earmarked for heavier precipitation. Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu, along with Karaikal, face a heightened risk of heavy downpours. The IMD's forecast extends its reach to other districts including Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Chennai, and Tiruvallur, all of which are expected to experience heavy rainfall alongside Puducherry. December 12th presents a similar but subtly altered forecast. While light to moderate rain is anticipated in many areas, the districts of Thanjavur, Sivagangai, Pudukkottai, and Tiruchirappalli are again singled out for heavier rainfall. Furthermore, the IMD anticipates heavy rainfall in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Theni, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Karur, Perambalur, Thoothukudi, and Dindigul, extending to Puducherry and Karaikal.
The IMD's forecast extends beyond the immediate two-day period. Their extended forecast predicts heavy rainfall over southern India for several days to come. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are expected to experience heavy rainfall in isolated places until December 13th, with particularly heavy rain expected on the 11th and 12th. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema are also under threat of heavy rainfall on December 11th and 12th. Kerala and Mahe face a similar threat but slightly later, with heavy rainfall anticipated at isolated places on December 12th, 13th, and 16th. South Interior Karnataka is slated for heavy rain at isolated locations on December 12th and 13th, with Coastal Karnataka facing heavy rainfall on December 13th. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are also included in the forecast, with heavy rainfall anticipated in isolated places on December 14th. In addition to these areas of heavy rain, the IMD forecasts light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms and lightning, for several regions of southern India until December 14th, encompassing Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and South Interior Karnataka. The warnings are not limited to land-based inhabitants. Fishermen in Tamil Nadu are strongly advised to avoid going to sea from December 11th to 13th due to the anticipated rough sea conditions generated by the storm system.
The scale and scope of the IMD's warnings underscore the potential severity of the upcoming weather events. The issuance of both orange and yellow alerts signals that this is not a localized phenomenon but one that will impact large swathes of the population and infrastructure across multiple states in southern India. The extended forecast reinforces this point, indicating that the heavy rainfall and associated weather disturbances are not a fleeting phenomenon, but a multi-day event with implications extending beyond the initial 48-hour prediction. The IMD’s detailed, district-level forecasts highlight the granular level of risk assessment and provide citizens and local authorities the information needed to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of the impending weather. The advisory to fishermen underscores the broader range of impacts extending beyond mere rainfall to include marine safety and the economic livelihood of coastal communities. This integrated approach to weather forecasting and hazard communication is crucial in minimizing potential risks and ensuring that the public is adequately prepared for potentially disruptive weather events. The situation requires continued monitoring of the weather patterns and adherence to the guidelines issued by the IMD to ensure public safety.
Source: IMD issues 'orange' and 'yellow' alerts as heavy rain hits Tamil Nadu, AP