The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal moving north-northwestwards is expected to proceed in the same direction and cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram on the morning of November 30, according to the mid-day update by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on November 28, 2024.
It will likely retain its strength as a deep depression with wind speeds of 50-60 kilometres per hour (kmph), gusting to 70 kmph. IMD predicted possible intensification into a cyclonic storm around 8pm, with wind speeds of 65–75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph. If it becomes a cyclone, it will be called Fengal, a name contributed by Saudi Arabia.
The weather system wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka, claiming 12 lives, destroying around 100 homes and displacing some 335,155 residents, while skirting around the island country in the last 24 hours, according to its Disaster Management Centre.
At around 8am on November 28, the system was centred near latitude 9.1°N and longitude 82.1°E, approximately 110 km east-northeast of Trincomalee, 310 km southeast of Nagapattinam, 410 km southeast of Puducherry, and 480 km south-southeast of Chennai.
Several parts of India recorded rainfall during the last 24 hours, IMD noted. Moderate rainfall occurred at a few places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, while isolated places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Kerala also reported precipitation.
Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district received significant rainfall, with Nagapattinam AWS and Velankanni recording 6 cm, and other locations such as Thiruthuraipoondi and Vedaranyam reporting 5 cm each, according to IMD update.
On November 29 and 30, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast for north Tamil Nadu, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Similar conditions are anticipated for south Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema, the weather monitoring agency noted.
Kerala, Mahe and South Interior Karnataka are also likely to witness heavy rainfall on November 30 and December 1, it added.
Chittoor district in Rayalaseema, Nellore in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal in Puducherry have been identified by IMD for low to moderate flash flood risk warning over the next 24 hours.
Local authorities in the above states and Union territories are on alert, preparing for possible flooding and wind damage. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent coastal waters.
Seafaring vessels have been advised to stay away from these areas. IMD has urged residents to monitor weather updates and heed warnings.
Disaster response teams are on standby to handle potential emergencies, particularly in areas forecast to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds.
While the system is expected to weaken from December 1, heavy rainfall has been predicted in isolated areas of South Interior Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe till December 2 and in parts of Lakshadweep till December 3, IMD stated.