In what comes as a relief for Chennai, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted light showers in the city over the next 24 hours. In a press conference on Monday, N Puviarasan, director of the Agromet Advisory Service Unit at the RMC, said, “On account of the low pressure over southwest Bay of Bengal, many places in coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to get moderate rainfall over the next 24 hours. Light rains are expected in a few places across Tamil Nadu.”
Stating that Chennai will be cloudy over this period, he added, “There is a possibility of light rains in some parts of the city. As far as heavy rainfalls are concerned, it may be expected in a few coastal areas.” The RMC also noted that moderate rainfall is expected to continue across Tamil Nadu over the next three days.
“Heavy rainfalls may be expected in a few places. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the southwestern Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, December 4,” Puviarasan warned.
In its All India Weather Forecast at 8 am on Monday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said, “Fresh easterly wave is likely to commence from Monday onwards and enhance the rainfall over South Peninsular India from December 4. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and coastal Tamilnadu on December 4, and over north and interior Tamil Nadu and south interior Karnataka on December 5. Dry weather conditions are likely to prevail over the other parts of the country in the next four to five days.”
City-based weather blogger Pradeep John, who runs the popular Facebook page Tamil Nadu Weatherman, attempted to dispel the fears that the rains were on account of a cyclone. Asking people not to fall for such rumours, he wrote, “An Easterly Wave (trough) is seen affecting TN coast from today... Rains can be expected in KTC (Kancheepuram, Thiruvannamalai, Chennai) belt from tonight/tomorrow morning and till 5th. So two days of rains for KTC belt.”
He also added that the Delta regions of Thiruvarur, Nagai, Nagapattinam and Karaikkal will receive rains from evening while Chennai-Puducherry-Cuddalore belt will receive rainfall from Monday night or early morning. "First, it will be coastal regions and then the rains will spread into the state as moisture incursion takes place,” (sic) he added.