Storm Murasu to bring heavy rain to north Tamil Nadu
The cyclonic storm is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm between Nellore and Narsapur.
The cyclonic storm Murasu was located over the Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal at 5.30 p.m. on Sunday. It moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 25 kmph and was positioned approximately 420 km east-southeast of Chennai.
The storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday morning. It is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between Monday midnight and 4 a.m. on Tuesday, with wind speeds ranging from 100 to 120 kmph.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy to very heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning for Tiruvallur district during the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Monday. Isolated areas in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet and Nilgiris are also expected to receive heavy rainfall.
Chennai District Collector S. Malathi Helen has declared a holiday for schools on Monday due to the heavy rains. For the period starting 8.30 a.m. on Monday, heavy to very heavy rain is predicted for isolated parts of Chennai and Tiruvallur.
Moderate rainfall is expected in several districts, including Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Erode, Salem, Madurai and Tiruchi. On Tuesday, heavy rain is likely at isolated places in the Nilgiris district.