Chennai: Tamil Nadu continues to reel under widespread rainfall as the northeast monsoon strengthens, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for Chennai on Tuesday. The city and several southern districts have been witnessing continuous showers over the past 24 hours, with conditions expected to worsen as a new weather system brews over the Bay of Bengal.

According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, a low-pressure area over the Strait of Malacca is likely to intensify into a depression over the south Andaman Sea within 24 hours. The system may further develop into a cyclonic storm in the next 48 hours, potentially becoming a cyclone. If the cyclone forms, it will be named Cyclone Senyar, a name assigned by the UAE meaning “lion”. It would be the second cyclone over the Bay of Bengal this season.

According to the weather department, the system might move close to the Tamil Nadu coast between November 29 and 30, raising concerns of heavy to very heavy rainfall along coastal districts.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued multiple alerts for the coming days. An orange alert has been sounded for Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, where extremely heavy rainfall is likely, especially in hilly belts.

On November 25, heavy rain is expected in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram. By November 26, rainfall coverage is projected to widen, spreading to seven districts. On November 27, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam may see a spike in rainfall intensity as the system moves closer to land.

The IMD has also placed Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam under an orange alert on November 28. Very heavy rain is forecast across seven northern coastal districts on November 29, coinciding with the cyclone’s expected proximity to Tamil Nadu.

Authorities have urged people in low-lying and flood-prone areas to stay vigilant, avoid non-essential travel and prepare for strong winds and waterlogging.

Nov 25: Partly cloudy; a few rain spells

Nov 26: Mostly cloudy; light rain

Nov 27: Cloudy; light rain

Nov 28: Partly cloudy; isolated thundershowers

Nov 29: Mostly cloudy; heavy rain

Nov 30: Cloudy; heavy rain to continue