Tue Nov 12 13:26:14 UTC 2024: ## Chennai Bathed in Heavy Rains, Orange Alert Issued as Monsoon Intensifies

**Chennai, Tamil Nadu (November 12, 2024):** Chennai and surrounding areas are bracing for a deluge as heavy rains continue to lash the city, triggered by a prevailing weather system over the Bay of Bengal. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Chennai has issued an orange alert, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall (up to 20.4 cm) in the next 24 hours, ending 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13.

The downpour, which began overnight, led to a holiday for schools in Chennai today. Ten other districts in north Tamil Nadu and the delta region, including Ranipet and Thanjavur, are also experiencing heavy rainfall.

The RMC has predicted that the wet spell, punctuated by heavy rainfall, will continue until November 16 as the northeast monsoon remains active over the state. A low-pressure area lies over the Southwest Bay of Bengal off north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, with an associated cyclonic circulation.

While scattered moderate rainfall is expected on Wednesday, 12 districts, including Chennai, its surrounding areas, and districts like Madurai and Tirunelveli, are likely to receive heavy rainfall. The rainfall is predicted to intensify on November 14 and 15, with isolated heavy rainfall in 27 districts.

The light rains over five reservoirs, which serve as major drinking water sources for Chennai, have brought in a marginal inflow. The water bodies are currently at about 45% of their storage capacity.

The Meteorological Department has forecasted moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in some areas of Chennai until Thursday. The city’s maximum temperature will remain at 30 degrees Celsius for the next two days.

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