Chennai, Sep 30 (IANS) Heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, is likely at isolated places in 11 Tamil Nadu districts and Karaikal on Wednesday, the Meteorological Department said, as atmospheric systems influence weather across the region.
The districts identified for heavy rainfall are Nilgiris, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Tiruchirappalli.
Wind speeds could reach 40 to 50 kilometres per hour during thunderstorms, according to the forecast.
Despite the rain outlook, the department said maximum temperatures in Tamil Nadu could rise above normal on Wednesday, with departures of up to four degrees Celsius. The forecast thus points to hotter daytime conditions alongside spells of rain in parts of the state.
Moderate rain with thunder, lightning and gusty winds is expected at some places in other districts along the Western Ghats and across several northern, central and southern districts. These include Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Karur, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi. Puducherry is also likely to receive moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms. Winds in these areas could reach 40 to 50 kilometres per hour.
Elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, light rain with thunder and lightning is possible at a few places.
For Thursday, October 1, the department has forecast heavy rain at isolated locations in the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts.
Thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are also likely in these areas. Parts of the rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal could receive light to moderate rain on Thursday, with thunder, lightning and strong winds accompanying some showers.
The department attributed the weather conditions to an atmospheric circulation over northern Tamil Nadu and adjoining southern coastal Andhra Pradesh, extending to around 1.5 kilometres above sea level.
A trough also extends from southern Telangana to the Gulf of Mannar through Rayalaseema, northern Tamil Nadu and adjoining southern coastal Andhra Pradesh at an altitude of about 0.9 kilometres.
Meanwhile, a deep depression that had been over the northern Andaman Sea and adjoining Myanmar coast on September 28 moved north-northwestwards and crossed the Myanmar coast east of Kyaikto between 7.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. The rainfall forecast indicates that heavier showers will be confined to isolated locations, while other areas may experience lighter rainfall or moderate thunderstorms over two days.
–IANS
aal/dpb