Heavy rain warning for Chennai and neighboring districts on December 18

The Regional Meteorological Center of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Chennai and neighboring districts on Wednesday due to a low pressure area forming over the southwest Bay of Bengal.

Earlier, the system in the central part of South Bay of Bengal moved towards Southwest Bay of Bengal on Tuesday. The associated cyclonic circulation has extended up to 5.8 km above sea level and is expected to intensify as it moves west-northwestward over the Tamil Nadu coast during the next two days.

As a result, heavy to very heavy rain is predicted in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Puducherry and Kanchipuram districts on Wednesday.

The RMC has also issued a wind warning for north coastal Tamil Nadu during the next 24 hours, warning of strong surface winds, gusting to 35-45 kmph and occasional gusts.

Heavy rain activity is expected to continue over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram till Thursday, December 19. Light to moderate rain is likely over many parts of North Coastal Tamil Nadu and isolated areas over the rest of the state. Thunderstorms and lightning.