Arabian Sea Low May Become Depression as Rain Persists in South India
Image: The Week / PTI
A well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Arabian Sea may briefly intensify into a depression within 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its mid-day bulletin on Monday, October 19. The system is expected to move away from India towards the Somalia coast, but heavy rain will continue over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal Andhra Pradesh and south interior Karnataka this week.
Low Heads Towards the Somalia Coast
IMD said the low lay over the southwest Arabian Sea at 8.30 am on Monday. It is likely to stay almost stationary for about 12 hours, move west-northwestwards until October 21 and then turn southwestwards towards the Somalia coast on October 22.
Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the southwest Arabian Sea and adjoining areas from October 19 to 22, and along and off the Kerala and Karnataka coasts and Lakshadweep from October 22 to 24.
18 cm of Rain in Coimbatore District
In the 24 hours to Monday morning, Periyanaickenpalayam in Coimbatore district recorded 18 cm of rain and Coimbatore 11 cm, IMD data showed. Subramanya in Dakshina Kannada recorded 9 cm and Munakkal in Thrissur 7 cm.
IMD has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rain over Tamil Nadu from October 19 to 21, and heavy rain at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Kerala on Monday and Tuesday. In Chennai, generally cloudy skies and a maximum of 32–33°C are expected on Monday, The Week reported.
Kerala and South Karnataka Wet Till October 24
Isolated heavy rain is likely over Kerala, Mahe and south interior Karnataka until October 24, with gusty winds of 30–40 km/h. For Tamil Nadu, IMD has warned of waterlogging, falling trees, landslips and disruption to road and rail traffic, and advised people not to shelter under trees during lightning and farmers to drain fields and postpone fertiliser use during rain.
Northwest, central, east and northeast India are expected to see no significant weather this week, according to the bulletin.
IMD also expects a fresh cyclonic circulation over the Andaman Sea around October 21, which could concentrate into a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal by October 24, The Week reported. For earlier forecasts, see heavy rain in Chennai and the Tamil Nadu rain outlook till October 24.
Based on IMD and reporting by The Week.
Image: The Week / PTI.
