As expected, a low-pressure area formed over the South-West Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka last night and has become 'well- marked' this morning, representing a round of intensification.

It bristles with the prospect of further strengthening with winds gusting to 50 km/hr, but may or may not reach the status of a depression, given proximity to the land features of Sri Lanka.

FRESH 'LOW' SEEN

Meanwhile, there is a possibility of a fresh 'low' developing over Andaman Sea and adjoining South-East Bay by Friday, and given the distance away from Tamil Nadu cast, it could develop into a storm.

India Met Department (IMD) said today's well-marked 'low' is expected to move west-northwestwards (towards Sri Lanka) and across the Comorin (South of the peninsular tip of India).

The Met has forecast squally weather with winds speeding up to 40 km/hr and fusting to 50 km/hr over South-West Bay and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean today.

With the onward movement of the system, the squally weather would track to Gulf of Mannar and progressively towards the Comorin tomorrow and the day after.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into these sea areas during the same period. Heavy rain has been forecast over South Tamil Nadu today.

RAINS FOR SOUTH KERALA

As for tomorrow and the day after, heavy to very heavy rain is forecast South Tamil Nadu while it would be heavy over South Kerala. Sea conditions would vary from 'rough' to 'very rough.'

According to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, the heaviest of rainfall during the next three days could fall around the extreme South-East coast of Tamil Nadu.

The Nagapattinam-Muthupet-Ramanathapuram-Vilathikulam belt could likely receive heavy rain, followed by Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, Tondi, Madurai, Rajapalaiyam, Kadayanallur and Tirunelveli.

Elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry appears the only place where any significant rain during these three days while it would be a few passing showers at most other places.

It looks as if northern and interior Tamil Nadu would need to wait it out till the next 'low' gathers momentum as it approaches the coast, but, this time too, to the South-East of the state.

Given the better strength and other attributes, it is likely that rains spill over to other parts of the state as well, especially into the interior and parts of Central and North Tamil Nadu.