Precipitation and rough seas are forecast for TN; orange and yellow alerts issued & more related news here

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The Chennai Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) said the well-marked low pressure area over southeastern Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is moving west-northwestwards at a speed of about 18 kmph.

The RMC said the system is likely to intensify into a deep depression in the next 15 hours, raising the chances of widespread rain and rough sea conditions along parts of the Tamil Nadu coast.

Due to the influence of the system, a yellow alert was issued for Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Karaikal districts for Thursday and Friday, warning of heavy rain at isolated places.

RMC Chennai director B. Amudha said cyclonic activity during January is not uncommon. It noted that between 1891 and 2024, a total of 20 cyclonic disturbances, including depressions, cyclonic storms and severe cyclonic storms, formed during the month.

According to the meteorological department, light to moderate rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tamil Nadu on January 8, with rain at some places over coastal Tamil Nadu and at isolated places over interior Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

An orange alert has been issued for Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur and Puducherry on January 9 and 10, indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, a yellow alert will be in force on January 10 and 11 for the districts of Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villuppuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Puducherry.

The RMC also warned of storms along and off the Tamil Nadu coast, over the Gulf of Mannar and the adjoining Comorin area.

Wind speeds are expected to range between 45 kmph and 55 kmph, with gusts of up to 65 kmph, from January 8 to 10. Sea conditions are likely to be rough or very rough during this period.

Fishermen off the Tamil Nadu coast have been advised not to venture into the sea. Those already in deep waters have been urged to avoid the southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal and the coastal waters of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for the next two days.