Weather likely to worsen in Tamil Nadu due to cyclonic storm in Arabian sea

Favourable conditions for the onset of the North East monsoon in Tamil Nadu have receded with the movement of a cyclonic storm to the Oman coast and a depression in the Bay of Bengal heading towards Odisha, the weather office here said Monday. 

Speaking to reporters, Chennai Deputy Director General of Meteorology, S Balachandran said the state is also likely to receive lesser rains in the coming days. 

He said this was due to the northward movement of cyclone Luban in the Arabian sea to the Oman coast and a depression in the Bay of Bengal that is likely to develop into a cyclone while moving towards Odisha. 

Two days ago, the India Meteorological Department had predicted favourable conditions leading to the onset of monsoon from October 8. 

"As of now, there are no favourable conditions for the onset of North East monsoon. Only after lifecycles of these two phenomena end will we be able to assess the onset of the seasonable wind," Balachandran said. 

"These circumstances have resulted in changes in the distribution of moisture and wind speed, and would delay the onset of the monsoon," he said. 

Also with lesser moisture in the atmosphere, there are chances of Tamil Nadu receiving lesser rains in the coming days, Balachandran said. 

In the next 24 hours, many parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to experience moderate rainfall, while a few parts of north Tamil Nadu will receive heavy rain. 

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, he said. Meanwhile, state Revenue minister R B Udayakumar listed precautionary measures taken for the monsoon. 

He said already 6,812 relief camps have been set up across the state and authorities are monitoring the situation.

(With inputs from agencies.)