As Cyclone Michaung dissipates, its remnants transform into a depression, paving the way for a weather scenario that is expected to bring rainfall to many parts of the country. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rainfall warning for several states, including parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mahe.
According to IMD, light to moderate rainfall predictions for various regions, with isolated heavy falls anticipated in specific areas. Kerala and Mahe are expected to experience these conditions on December 8-9, while Tamil Nadu is likely to witness rainfall on December 9.
Moreover, IMD also foresees dense fog during morning hours in isolated pockets over Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh on December 7.
Heavy rainfall batters Telangana
Three districts in Telangana witnessed substantial rainfall in the last 24 hours, as per officials. Bhadradri Kothagudem district experienced extremely heavy rainfall at a few locations, while both Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam districts recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall in most areas. Additionally, Mulugu district in Telangana reported heavy rainfall at isolated places.
The Met Centre here said light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely to occur at a few places over Telangana from 1300 hours on December 6 to 0830 hours on December 7.
Cyclone Michaung weakens
IMD Director General Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra has reassured that Cyclonic Storm Michaung has significantly weakened and poses no imminent threat. Mobapatra explained, “After its landfall yesterday afternoon, Cyclonic Storm Michaung gradually weakened. By midnight, it had transformed into a deep depression, and today, in the afternoon, it further weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area, centered over Northeast Telangana and adjoining south Chhattisgarh-south Interior Odisha-Coastal Andhra Pradesh.”
Over the next 12 hours, the cyclonic system is anticipated to move in a north-northeastward direction, continuing its weakening trend. The impact has diminished, and while rainfall is expected to persist for the next 12-18 hours, the intensity will be comparatively lower. Isolated instances of heavy rainfall ranging from 7cm to 11cm may occur in areas such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and North Andhra Pradesh. Beyond this period, there is no forecast of any disastrous impact, Mohapatra assured.
IMD predicts milder winter
IMD anticipates a relatively milder winter across the country from December 2023 to February 2024. The forecast suggests that the usual intensity and frequency of cold waves are expected to be lower than average in the majority of northern, northwestern, central, eastern, and northeastern regions of India.
According to IMD, above-normal minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country, and above-normal maximum temperatures are also expected over most regions except some areas in central and northwest India.
The deviation from typical winter conditions is attributed by scientists to below-average western disturbances, diminishing the flow of colder winds from snow-covered regions to areas of northwest and central India. This prevailing weather pattern, known for bringing cooler temperatures, is expected to endure throughout the season.