Cyclone Fani: Heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry in next 24 hours

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Friday issued a heavy rain warning for coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 24 hours. 

“A well low-pressure area lies over East Equatorial Indian Ocean & adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to intensify into a depression during next 24 hours over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal and into a Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 24 hours over southwest Bay of Bengal & adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean,” said the weather department in a release. 

Cyclone Fani is expected to hit the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on April 30, causing heavy rains. A red alert has been issued in several districts. 

“It (Cyclonic Storm) is very likely to move northwestwards along and off east coast of Sri Lanka near north Tamil Nadu coast on 30th April 2019,” it added.

A low-pressure area is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm between April 27 and 29, which will lead to moderate to heavy rainfall across coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The coastal areas also will witness heavy rainfall beginning early next week, the IMD said in a statement. 

“Squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph likely over East Equatorial Indian Ocean & adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on 25th. It would gradually increase becoming squally wind  peed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph over East Equatorial Indian Ocean & adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal on 26th; gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph over Southwest Bay of Bengal & adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean on 27th; 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph over Southwest Bay of Bengal & adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean and along & off Sri Lanka coast on 28th and 90-100 kmph gusting to 115 kmph over Southwest Bay of Bengal, along & off Sri Lanka coast and off Tamilnadu & Puducherry coast on 29th,” said the IMD.