Depression toys with TN coast, to hit it late

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, which had threatened to cross the Tamil Nadu coast on Monday night, remained practically station...

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, which had threatened to cross the Tamil Nadu coast on Monday night, remained practically stationary for most part of the day and is likely to cross the coast on Wednesday morning. But under its influence, widespread rains are predicted over the next 48 hours in north coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

At 5.30 pm on Monday, the system was still stationary at about 250 km east of Nagapattinam. ‘‘The system is likely to move in a northwesterly direction and cross north Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Nellore by Tuesday night,’’ a bulletin from the Regional Specialised Meterological Centre (RSMC) said. According to the Indian Meteorological Department sources, the the now sluggish system intensifying into a cyclonic storm could not be ruled out.

Meteorological office said that strong winds with speeds reaching 50-60 kmph were likely along and off the north Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next 48 hours. The sea would be rough to very rough, it said and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.

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Local cautionary signal number three had been hoisted at Chennai, Ennore, Cuddalore, Pondicherry and Nagapattinam ports, it said.

During the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Monday, the reservoirs of Cholavaram, Red Hills, Ponneri and Chembarabakkam recorded nine, seven, five and three cms of rainfall respectively, while the city received six cms.

Following fresh rains in catchment areas since Sunday leading to good inflow into these reservoirs, surplus discharge has been let out into Adyar and Cooum rivers that traverse Chennai city.

City administration has started evacuation of people from low-lying areas along the banks of these two rivers.

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