Low-Pressure Area Forms Over Arabian Sea - Moderate Rains Lash Chennai
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has announced that a low-pressure area has formed over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep region, off the Kerala-Karnataka coasts, under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation. The system developed around 5:30 a.m. on October 18 and is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression within the next 48 hours, according to the latest RMC report.
Rainfall in Chennai and Surrounding Districts
Moderate rains accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning drenched Chennai from Friday night till early Saturday morning. The RMC has forecast that moderate rainfall with thunderstorms is likely to continue at a few places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur districts until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Rainfall Data (as of 8:30 a.m., October 18)
According to data from the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA), the highest rainfall in the city was recorded at:
Wimco Nagar: 7.5 cm
Ennore: 6.9 cm
Manali New Town: 6.5 cm
Thiruvottiyur: 6.4 cm
Manali: 5.2 cm
Maduravoyal: 5.2 cm
Several other areas across the city also received more than 5 cm of rainfall, indicating widespread precipitation.
Heavy Rain Alert for Western Tamil Nadu
The RMC has further predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places in parts of Western Tamil Nadu.
October 18: Heavy rain is likely over The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Erode, Salem, Namakkal, and Karur districts.
October 19: Heavy rain is likely over The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Theni, Tenkasi, and Salem districts.
The weather department has urged residents and local authorities to remain alert as the low-pressure system strengthens over the next two days.
