Cyclone Senyar: Chennai on yellow alert as Tamil Nadu braces for widespread rain – check IMD forecast

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Chennai for Tuesday as heavy rainfall continues across Tamil Nadu. The state has been experiencing widespread showers for the past 24 hours due to the strengthening of the northeast monsoon.

According to the IMD’s latest weather bulletin on Monday, a low-pressure area over the Strait of Malacca is expected to intensify into a depression over the south Andaman Sea within the next 24 hours. The system may further strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the south Bay of Bengal in the following 48 hours.

If the cyclone forms as predicted, it will be named Cyclone Senyar, a name given by the UAE, meaning “lion.” This could be the second cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal this season. As per the weather department, the system may move close to the Chennai coast between November 29 and 30.

Tamil Nadu prepares for heavy rain

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued several alerts for the coming days, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in many parts of the state. An orange alert has been issued for Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, where extremely heavy rain is expected, especially in hilly regions.

Heavy rainfall is likely in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts on November 25. Rainfall is expected to expand to seven districts on November 26. By November 27, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam may witness intense rain as the weather system moves closer to the coast.

The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam on November 28. On November 29, very heavy rain is expected across seven northern coastal districts as the cyclone nears Tamil Nadu.

Authorities have asked residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas to stay alert and follow instructions from district officials. People have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, watch for waterlogging, and be prepared for strong winds as the system strengthens.

Chennai seven-day weather forecast

• November 25: Partly cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers.
• November 26: Mostly cloudy with light rain likely.
• November 27: Cloudy sky with light rain.
• November 28: Partly cloudy with the possibility of isolated thundershowers.
• November 29: Mostly cloudy with heavy rain expected.
• November 30: Cloudy with heavy rain expected to continue.