Tamil Nadu is bracing for heavy rains over the next few days as a depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm. Continuous downpours over the past two days have already caused flooding, waterlogging, and widespread disruptions across several districts.
Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram are likely to experience particularly heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Thoothukudi district, persistent rain inundated residential areas in Kovilpatti, Kadambur, Vandanam, and nearby localities.
Nagapattinam saw water entering the historic Prasanna Venkatajalapathi Temple due to continuous showers, inconveniencing residents and devotees. Farmlands in Keezhvellur, Keezhaiyur, Valivalam, and Kodiyalathur villages were submerged, raising concerns over potential crop damage.
Several parts of Kallakurichi district—including Thyagadurugam, Vadathorasalur, Kalaiyanallur, Pallakkasseri, and Virugavoor—recorded intense rainfall, while areas in Karur such as Thanthonimalai, Pashupathipalayam, Veluchamipuram, and Gandhigram experienced steady night-long showers.
In Kanyakumari, rising water levels at the Pechipparai dam reached 44 feet, prompting authorities to release excess water and causing sudden flooding along the Kodayar river, impacting low-lying settlements downstream.
Heavy inflows in the Western Ghats led to closures at several popular tourist spots. Water surged at Aanavari waterfall in the Kalvarayan Hills near Athur, resulting in a complete ban on visitor entry. Tenkasi district officials also barred tourists from all Courtallam waterfalls. Similar restrictions were imposed at Shenbagathoppu Mainkettupara falls in Srivilliputhur, Suruli Falls in Theni, and Panchalinga Falls at Thirumoorthy Hills in Tiruppur.
Amutha, head of the Regional Meteorological Centre (South), said the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by tomorrow. She also highlighted the possibility of another low-pressure system forming over the Kumari Sea and the southwest Bay region near Sri Lanka, while confirming that the northeast monsoon remains active.
With the weather system strengthening, heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days in Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Nagapattinam. On November 28, very heavy rain is likely in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, followed by intense spells on November 29 in Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur.
(IANS)