Chennai: Nearly after three decades, the northeast monsoon is likely to arrive early - on October 8 - in the state even as rain has been pounding most parts of the State. Weather experts at Regional Meteorological Centre pointed out that conditions are becoming favourable for further withdrawal of southwest monsoon from most parts of North and Central Bay of Bengal during next two to three days, paving the way for the immediate onset of the northeast or retreating monsoon.
According to RMC, this will be an early onset of the northeast monsoon after three decades. Previously, its early onset was on September 11, 1996. “Under the influence of the cyclonic circulation over Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep Maldives area, a low pressure area has formed over southeast Arabian sea and neighbourhood,” said a Met official.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Dr S. Balachandran, director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said, “There is a high possibility for NEM to visit the state. As far as rainfall is concerned, the entire state will get rains. However, some parts will get heavy to very heavy rains, while other parts will record moderate rains.”
A city-based weather blogger, K Srikanth, who maintains 'Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikkalalm' blog, said, “As far as I am concerned, NEM has already set in. One can observe heavy rainfall in the interior districts and Puducherry. “Moreover, in a scenario that almost reminds of onset of NEM as rains have lashed many parts of Tamil Nadu since the wee hours of Thursday. While delta areas recorded heavy rains during the morning hours of Thursday, Chennai joined the party a little later to see on and off spells of rains right through the day,” he said.
Chennai is likely to see conditions similar to Friday with on and off spells of rains likely to continue in varying intensities. At times the spells could be heavy too, he noted. The IMD and RMC have warned fishermen against venturing into the sea. However, fishermen from various districts already started venturing into the sea.
Meanwhile, minister for revenue R. B Uhayakumar, in a presser, on Friday, said that the state is fully prepared to face the monsoon. “All the district collectors have been instructed to keep a vigil round the clock. Further, there is no need for panic among the public.”
“Clarifying the red alert, the minister said “red alert is nothing but a warning for people and fishermen, who have to be cautious during heavy rains,” he said, adding that helpline in Chennai and other districts have been established and public can use the helpline, if there are floods and breaching in the water bodies.
Speaking to DC, K. Sathyagopal, Commissioner of Revenue Administration, said, “We are continuously communicating to the fishers not to venture into the sea. As far as we have learnt, most fishers who had gone for deep-sea
fishing from Kanyakumari, have received communication on NEM and they are returning. However, many fishers have not received the communication and we have started search operations with the help of the Navy.”
