Deep depression to turn into cyclone in 12 hours, coastal TN to get heavy rain

The deep depression brewing over the Bay of Bengal and moving toward the Andhra coast is likely to turn into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed in their 12:30pm weather bulletin on Saturday. Lying 690 kms away from Chennai, the cyclone is likely to make landfall on the Andhra coast between Ongole and Kakinada on December 17 afternoon. Chennai too is expected to receive rains in the next 12 hours, according to the Meteorological Department.

"The deep depression is still over 700 km away from the Chennai coast. It depends upon the direction in which the depression moves. As of now it is moving northwards toward Andhra coast. So if we have any major rains it should happen tomorrow (Sunday) and day after (Monday), possibly even a little rainfall tonight can be expected. Usually rains are expected when the cyclone or depression is 100 kms away from the coast," Srikanth, a Chennai based weather blogger told TNM.

The cyclone has been unofficially named as Phethai based on the list of names given by the north Indian Ocean member countries and many reports have been using this. However, Regional Meteorological Director Balachandran told TNM earlier that the name will be officially used only when the depression turns into a cyclone.

The bulletin also said that wind speeds would increase ranging from 45-55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph in coastal Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry starting from Saturday. It is likely to increase to 80 kmph in these areas from Saturday evening and 110 mph during 17 and 18 December (Sunday and Monday). Heavy to very heavy rains in coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to can be expected in the coming days.

Sea condition is likely to be rough over south west and adjoining south east Bay of Bengal. Sea levels are likely to become high on Saturday evening. It is likely to get high over south west and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal on December 16 and high to very high over west central and adjoining south west Bay of Bengal from Sunday evening to Monday, stated the bulletin.

The Met Department has also advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the seas from December 15 until December 17. Those in the deep sea areas have been advised to return to coast.