Rain is likely to continue for two more days in south Tamil Nadu owing to the depression over the southeast Arabian Sea.
Described as a rare phenomenon in March, the depression brought widespread rainfall over many places in the southern parts of the State on Tuesday. Thoothukudi received the heaviest rainfall of 20 cm and Papanasam in Tiruneveli district 19 cm, in the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Officials of the Meteorological Department said Thoothukudi received about 30% of its annual rainfall in a single day. It received 21 cm of rainfall against its annual share of 63 cm.
‘First time since 1965’
S. Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said the depression might weaken after Thursday. It lay over the southeast Arabian Sea, about 30 km north of Minicoy, and is moving away. There are less chances for the system to intensify into a deep depression. “This is probably the first time the region is experiencing a depression in March after 1965,” he said.
The department expects 75% of the weather stations in south Tamil Nadu to receive rainfall on Thursday, which would gradually decrease from Friday.
“One or two places in the southern districts may receive heavy rainfall, but may not be as intense as Tuesday’s showers,” said Mr. Balachandran.
Interior parts of the State such as Salem, Dindigul, Namakkal and Coimbatore would also receive rainfall. North coastal districts, such as Chennai and Kancheepuram, would remain dry.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea along and off the south Tamil Nadu coast and the Comorin-Maldives area on Thursday due to squally winds, officials said. As regards Chennai, the department forecast a generally cloudy sky with the maximum temperature likely to remain around 33 degree Celsius till Friday.
