Chennai, the city’s wettest month, may see less rain than usual this November.
So far, the Oct–Dec monsoon has brought 24% less rainfall than normal.
Weather models suggest that the next low-pressure system, expected on Saturday,
might bypass Chennai and Tamil Nadu, moving instead towards Andhra Pradesh as a
cyclone.
IMD officials said Chennai may get light to moderate rain over the next
four days, while heavier rain is likely in the delta, south coastal,
and nearby districts.
This month’s poor rainfall has affected at least 29 districts. Since October 1:
Chennai recorded 42 cm (24% below normal)
Nungambakkam: 39 cm (around 19 cm below normal)
Meenambakkam: 46 cm (10 cm below normal)
Tiruvallur: 45 cm (7% above normal)
Kancheepuram: 34 cm (11% below normal)
Chengalpet: 27 cm (40% below normal)
Tamil Nadu as a whole recorded 28 cm, about 7% below normal.
The IMD forecasts that a low-pressure system will form over the southeast Bay
of Bengal around Nov 22. It may move west-northwest, become a depression over
the central south Bay by Nov 24, and strengthen further over the southwest Bay
in the next two days.