Low-pressure area likely to form over Bay of Bengal, ease rain deficit in State

CHENNAI The season’s next low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around Friday and intensify into a depression by November 15, raising expectations of widespread rainfall to overcome shortfall in various districts and boost water sources. The Regional Meteorological Centre has so far forecast moderate rainfall over southern districts till November 15, with rainfall likely to shift to north Tamil Nadu next week.

November is the wettest month of the year for many districts, including Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Tiruchi, which receive their maximum share of annual rainfall during this time. This Northeast monsoon, districts like Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Chengalpattu and Tiruvarur, are among the districts that continue to record a rainfall deficit.

The weather agency has said an upper air cyclonic circulation over south Andaman Sea and neighbourhood is expected to trigger the formation of a low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday. It is further likely to gather strength as depression by November 15.