Weather Dept issues yellow alert in TN for next 24 hours

Heavy rains will lash Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Myladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Thiruvarur, and Ramanathapuram on Thursday, while a yellow alert has been issued in all these districts. The rains will be due to the cyclonic circulation over the South Bay of Bengal. The weather department also stated that the system prevailing over the sea will lead to heavy rains over the next few days. A cyclonic circulation lies over central parts of the Bay of Bengal in lower tropospheric levels, which will lead to heavy rains in Chennai and adjoining districts. Heavy to very heavy rains are predicted from November 8-12 in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Myladuthurai districts of Tamil Nadu. The weather department has also noted that north and south Tamil Nadu will witness moderate to heavy rains in the next few days. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until November 9, as squally winds with speeds reaching 35 km/h to 45 km/h and gusting to 55 km/h are expected over the western parts of west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal along and off the south Andhra Pradesh Coast and adjoining south Tamil Nadu coast. Additionally, the RMC has urged fishermen who are already in the deep sea to return to the coast immediately. In its seasonal data during the northeast monsoon (from October 1 to November 6), the weather department reported that Tamil Nadu received 247 mm of rainfall, which is 13 percent above normal. The highest amount of rainfall was recorded in Coimbatore district, with 410 mm, indicating an excess of 102 percent during the season. Following the heavy rains over the last few days, water levels in the Vaigai Dam are increasing, and experts are monitoring this rise. Intense showers in the catchment areas of the river have led to an increased flow of water from Mullaperiyar to Vaigai dam. Over the last three days, there has been a steady flow of water into the Vaigai dam, which has now risen to 64.34 feet. It is important to note that the total capacity of the dam is 71 feet. Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department officials have indicated that a first flood warning will be issued when the water level rises to 66 feet. The second warning will be issued at 68.5 feet, and the third warning will be given when it reaches 69 feet. Once this occurs, water will be released from the Vaigai dam for irrigation purposes in Madurai district. The Vaigai dam serves as a primary water resource for districts such as Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram. The rising water level in Vaigai has brought relief and cheer to farmers in these districts.