A wet Deepavali ahead for many parts of Tamil Nadu

Nearly 20 north coastal and interior districts, including Chennai, would also receive moderate rainfall on Deepavali day.

A wet Deepavali seems likely across Tamil Nadu on Sunday, with weather agencies predicting rain clouds over many parts of the State till November 12.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast fairly widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu, with intense spells expected in south and delta districts, while north coastal and interior districts are expected to get moderate rainfall.

However, officials of the RMC said most parts would experience intermittent rain spells rather than continuous rainfall.

According to the RMC, heavy rainfall may occur in isolated places of seven delta and south districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, and Thoothukudi, on Sunday.

Nearly 20 north coastal and interior districts, would also receive moderate rainfall on Deepavali day. These include Chennai and its surrounding districts, Sivagangai, Theni, Tiruchi, and Kanniyakumari. A few places in the remaining districts have chances of light rainfall.

Wet weather is expected to prevail across the State till November 12, with heavy rainfall set to lash delta and southern districts till Tuesday.

V.R. Durai, Head, Regional Meteorological Forecasting Centre, RMC, said a weather system over southeast Arabian sea was influencing wet weather in the southern parts of the State. Moreover, a weather system near Comorin area and Sri Lankan coast, which is likely to strengthen on Sunday, is expected to sustain the intense rainfall activity, particularly over places such as Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram.

While a low-pressure area is likely to develop over southeast Bay of Bengal around November 13, it has only a slim chance of intensifying further as a depression.

“We are expecting a significant increase in rainfall around November 17 and November 18, especially over coastal and interior parts of the State. Strengthening easterly waves may trigger widespread monsoon rainfall,” he said.

The sustained wet weather may help improve the State’s Northeast monsoon surplus, which currently stands at 7%. The absence of adequate rainfall has pushed districts such as Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Mayiladuthurai, Thoothukudi, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur into the rain deficit category.