Rain Update: Heavy rains in Tamil Nadu, orange alert for three states today

Rain Warning: The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) has issued an orange alert for Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. A yellow alert has also been issued in 11 other districts in the state. On Saturday, Chennai city and its suburbs are expected to receive light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning at some places.

Skies may remain partly cloudy, with maximum and minimum temperatures forecast at 30-31°C and 24-25°C, respectively.

Coastal and delta districts of Tamil Nadu are likely to experience heavy rains from December 16.

The RMC has also predicted the formation of another low pressure area in two days, which could cause heavy rain.

S. Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, noted that the active Northeast Monsoon has influenced the formation of retrograde weather systems, calling for studies and better preparedness for disaster management.

Rain continued in several parts of Tamil Nadu till Friday evening, with Virudhunagar receiving 12 cm of rain and Thoothukudi recording 10 cm at 5:30 pm.

After a short break, the RMC predicts that widespread rain will resume from Monday. A cyclonic circulation of surface air is likely to develop over the South Andaman Sea on Saturday, leading to the formation of a low pressure area south of the Bay of Bengal.

The system is expected to move west-northwestwards towards the Tamil Nadu coast on Monday.

The Tamil Nadu government reported five deaths due to rain on Friday and early Saturday.

Three people died when a wall collapsed in Ariyalur and Ramanathapuram districts, while two others were electrocuted in Sivaganga and Ranipet districts.

More than 2,000 people have been relocated to 50 camps in the regions most affected by the rain.

In addition, more than 100 cows have died in 10 districts, including Mayiladuthurai and Ramanathapuram.

The rain also caused extensive damage to property, with more than 400 houses affected in 20 districts, including Ariyalur and Chengalpattu. The flow of the Thamiraparani river rose to 50,000 cusecs due to heavy rain in the surrounding areas.

Residents living near the river bank and low-lying areas have been moved to relief camps. Alert messages have been sent to more than 11.75 lakh mobile phones to ensure public safety.