Chennai: The India Meteorological Department has issued Orange alert in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal with a warning of extremely heavy rainfall on December 3 and December 4.
The IMD predicted that a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depresssion on Friday and is likely to become a cyclonic storm which will cross the coast between Machlipatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Chennai on Dec 4 evening.
Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to experience very heavy to isolated heavy rainfall between November 20 and December 2-4, IMD posted on X.
Heavy to heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallar districts of Tamil Nadu. Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladutharai, Cuddalore, Vilupattnam districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and Karaikal area.
“Light rain is likely at isolated places over Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Sivagangai, Nilgiris, Theni and Puducherry in the next three hours,” it added. The weather department also issued an advisory and mentioned the impacts of the weather forecast. The advisory included the impact of waterlogging, slippery roads, traffic and minor damage to loose and unsecured structures in some areas.
Meanwhile, amid the looming fear of a cyclone over Tamil Nadu, the Indian Meteorological Department on Friday warned that the sea will be rougher than usual in the coastal areas.
Earlier today, the Government of Puducherry has declared holiday for all colleges in Puducherry, Karaikal and Yanam regions on December 4 (Monday) in view of Cyclone Michaung.
The territorial administration has also declared holiday for all schools in Puducherry, Karaikal and Yanam regions on December 4.
The director of School Education P Priyatarshiny said on Friday (December 2) that as cyclone Michaung is expected to hit the coastal regions on December 4 all schools would remain closed on that day. Official sources said this is as part of precautionary measures taken by the government.