Chennai is on high alert as a low-pressure system brewing in the Bay of Bengal transformed into a depression on Friday. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that this depression is set to intensify into a cyclonic storm and is anticipated to make landfall between Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Chennai by the evening of December 4, according to the latest weather bulletin.
This weather disturbance, currently situated approximately 800 kilometers southeast of Chennai in the South Bay, is projected to escalate into a deep depression and further evolve into a cyclonic storm by December 3. IMD forecasts suggest that the storm's trajectory may lead to its landfall between Chennai and Machilipatnam.
The system, expected to move in a west-northwest direction, could amplify into a storm over the Southwest Bay of Bengal by December 3. Subsequently, it is anticipated to shift northwestward and potentially affect the Northeast-South Andhra coastal regions by the morning of December 4.
Chennai and its adjacent areas are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall as the cyclonic storm approaches the coast. The Meteorological Department warns of wind speeds ranging from 60 to 70 kilometers per hour over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Central West Bay of Bengal. Consequently, fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the sea until December 4.
Weather experts anticipate that the low-pressure area originating in the Bay of Bengal could escalate into a 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' before reaching land. Forecasts by weather bloggers, including Sriram of Chennai Rains, suggest that the cyclonic storm may intensify and potentially make landfall east of Chennai near Kavali on December 4. Until then, the city is likely to experience moderate rainfall during the night and morning hours.
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