Chennai: Cyclone Vardah, which devastated Chennai on Monday, on Tuesday weakened into a depression near Bengaluru, before reaching Mangalore as a low pressure area. However, it managed to provide significant rains to West Tamil Nadu on its way.
Vellore and Hosur received moderate to heavy ra-infall of 11 and 10.5cm each as Vardah traveled to-wards westwards. Ambur and Vaniyambadi received over 7cm each since Monday evening.
“Overnight rains on Monday night were a respite to the western districts. However, districts were content with slight showers on Tuesday,” said Weather blogger, Sai Praneeth.
There will be no significant rains to Chennai and its neighboring districts for the next few days, said weather department officials. Director of Regional Meteorological Centre S. Balachandran said, “Cyclone Vardah had weakened near Karnataka. However, slight showers can be witnessed in North Tamil Nadu districts in the next 24 hours.”
Weather models hint that Vardah would develop into a tropical cyclone and move towards Yemen coast. Chennaiites are frightened over the rumors of another intense system, even before the meteorological department confirmed it. On it, the director said, “There is no system in our forecast range.” “Another spell of rainfall can be expected ar-ound Dec. 18. However, it could just be a low-pressure area and will not be as terrific as Vardah,” blogger Pradeep John said.
Chennaiites avoid markets
On the day of Id and Karthikaagi Deepam, markets sold frozen food items and mostly remained deserted with public remaining indoors. Apart from cyclone, cash was another factor affecting daily business, admitted traders in Koyambedu, Parry's and Pattalam wholesale markets.
"There has been no fresh fish catch since Monday and we sold stocked fishes and prawn. We were not able to clear stocks till Wednesday evening. Public continue to avoid markets due to cash crunch", rued M. Magimai, who sells fish at Pattalam market. "Koyambedu also recorded lull in sales as the transport was cut off between Chennai and other districts and we are hoping the situation to improve at least by next week", said M. Jothiraj, a wholesale trader in Parry's corner.
