The hyperactive well-marked low-pressure area has refused to move out of its perch over Sri Lanka/adjoining South-West Bay of Bengal and continues to pump in moisture in a North-Northeast direction into Tamil Nadu.

The longer it stays put and delays its eventual journey from Sri Lanka, the more sustained, heavy and long-drawn will be rain spells for Tamil Nadu.

This explains the continued heavy rain over Tamil Nadu. India Met Department is still maintaining a watch for intensification of the ‘low’ into a depression before it impacts the Tamil Nadu coast.

This makes the case even worse for the Tamil Nadu coast, which was pounded by heavy to very heavy rainfall until 5.30 pm yesterday (Sunday). Chennai alone received 14 cm of incessant rain during the period.

The other significant rainfall amounts were (in cm): Puducherry-7; Tuticorin-5; and Cuddalore and Tirupathi-3 each.

Forecasts suggested possibility of continued heavy or even extremely heavy rain for the North Tamil Nadu coast (covering Chennai) for another couple of days from today (Monday).

Heavy to very heavy rain will lash South Tamil Nadu, South Interior Karnataka, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh during this period. A high wind alert is valid for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh coasts for today.

(The Hindu)