Chennai May Get Heavy Rains as Murasu Poised for Andhra Landfall
Moving west-northwestwards, it is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur by Tuesday morning
CHENNAI: The city is likely to receive rains from Sunday night as Cyclone Murasu approaches the south Andhra Pradesh coast with its landfall likely in the Nellore-Kavali belt. It is projected to cross the south Andhra coast on Tuesday morning.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph for three hours till 8.30 am on Sunday. It was centred over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, about 630 km east-southeast of Chennai and 710 km east-southeast of Nellore.
Moving west-northwestwards, it is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur by Tuesday morning at a sustained wind speed of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph, the IMD said. Heaviest rainfall is expected on the coastal stretch between Sriharikota and Nellore.
Meanwhile, squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is likely to commence along and off the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Wind speeds are expected to increase to 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, from Sunday night until Tuesday morning before gradually weakening.
Over the west central Bay of Bengal, wind speeds are likely to reach 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, from midnight on Monday until Tuesday noon. Similar wind conditions are forecast along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast during this period.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea during the warning period. Those fishing in deep-sea areas have been advised to return to the coast immediately.
The weather conditions are expected to improve gradually from Tuesday evening after squally winds weakened further by Wednesday morning.