Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Kerala rains LIVE Updates: The Indian Meteorological Department has withdrawn the issuance of red alert for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala. Earlier, the met office has predicted of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the area. Withdrawing the order, the IMD said that low-pressure in the Arabian sea couldn’t gain strength to become a cyclone. However, the areas like Nilgiris, Virudhnagar, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Coimbatore are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall in the upcoming 24 to 48 hours. The above-mentioned districts also would experience moderate rainfall while state capital, Chennai is expected to remain cloudy with a possibility of a downpour.
Following the IMD’s warning of heavy rainfall, a team of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have arrived in Madurai. The entrance of pilgrims to coastal Dhanushkodi from Rameswaram was also closed as of now as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, the Disaster Management Authority officials have directed officials to keep a close tab on the water levels in dams. According to reports, shutters of dams in Thrissur and Palakkad districts were lifted on Thursday evening to drain out excess water.
On Saturday, the Indian Navy has issued a statement that all its naval assets at Kochi, both air as well as surface, are being maintained at high alert to render any assistance to the administration and people in case of an emergency.
Highlights
Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places in Kerala and Tamil Nadi on Sunday- IMD
Kerala had been devastated by floods in August this year leaving a trail of unprecedented destruction and had forced people to take refuge in relief camps. The South-west monsoon had claimed 493 lives in the floods, the worst in the last 100 years.
The fishermen in the Central and South East Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep and Kanyakumari areas were advised not to venture into the sea from October 6 to 8. According to Ramanathapuram district administration officials, 215 fishermen who had ventured into the sea for fishing had returned.
Places like Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari might receive "heavy to very heavy rainfall", instead of extremely heavy rainfall, in the next 24-48 hours.
Talking to reporters here, Balachandran said the extreme heavy rainfall warning announced for the southern parts of the state was withdrawn since the upper-air circulation had "weakened". However, he said, places like Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari might receive "heavy to very heavy rainfall", instead of extremely heavy rainfall, in the next 24-48 hours.
The extreme heavy rainfall warning issued by the Regional meteorological department for south Tamil Nadu has been withdrawn, Deputy Director General S Balachandran said Saturday. The Met office had Thursday forecast extreme heavy rainfall till Sunday, following the formation of an upper-air circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
PTI
No need to panic, The expected Depression will move in north west direction away from Indian coast. We expect few heavy spells of Rain over Kerala & TamilNadu for next 3 days. But, situation will remain in control. Avoid going into the Sea for next 3 days: Mahesh Palawat, Vice president Meteorology And climate Change
IMD has withdrawn red alert in Tamil Nadu. However, rains may continue to lash the affected areas. Keep checking this space for more updates.
On Friday, the southern districts of Tamil Nadu were lashed with heavy downpour. The districts such as- Karaikal has received rainfall of 98mm, Nagappattinam 28mm, Pondihery 19mm and Cuddakore 16mm.
Uttarakhand on Thursday received fresh snowfall which caused the temperature to fall a few notches. According to Uttarakhand Met office, the snowfall took place in Kedarnath causing the traffic to hit shortly.
Amid the ongoing rain and thundershower across Tamil nadu, Kerala and L&M Islands, the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy has taken a number of steps. The navy has asked the local fishermen not to venture into the sea. It also delivered the weather warrning in various languages-- Hindi, English, Malayalam and Tamil.
Tourists have been advised not to travel to hill stations, especially Munnar in Idukki and Nelliyampathy in Palakkad districts respectively.
Following forecast of extreme heavy rain on Sunday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami held a review meeting at Chennai and issued a series of instructions to officials. These included asking collectors of coastal districts to take steps for the early return of fishermen who have ventured into the sea, an official release said.
The Indian Navy has taken a number of steps for disseminating the information in various languages-- Hindi, English, Malayalam and Tamil-- to the local populace and fishermen.
The Indian Navy has put its air and surface assets at Kochi on high alert in view of adverse weather warning issued by India Meteorological Department, a Defence spokesman said Friday.