Depression to cross coast between TN and AP around Chennai this evening, says IMD

Chennai: The inundation caused by monsoon rains in several neighbourhoods here has virtually paralysed the daily routine of residents. So far 12 persons have been killed amid the incessant rains.

Meanwhile, the MeT Department has said that the depression over the Bay of Bengal will cross the coast between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh this evening and the city would witness ”strong” winds up to 45 km.

Districts in northern Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Villpuram are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, S Balachandran said, even as the city and its suburbs received sharp showers all through the night.

The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 21 kmph during the past six hours and lay centered at 5.30 AM on Thursday over southwest Bay of Bengal, about 170 km east-southeast of Chennai and 170 km east of Puducherry, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin. ”It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu & adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts around Chennai by the evening of today,” it added.

As a result, Balachandran said, Chennai would witness ”strong surface winds” ranging between 40-45 km, he told reporters.

”People should not venture out unnecessarily,” he said.

Citing the latest data, he said Tambaram (Chengalpet dt) received 232.9 mm, followed by Cholavaram (220 mm) and Ennore at 205 mm.

The system was being constantly monitored, he said in response to a question.