Fourth low-pressure system likely to form over Bay of Bengal
Meteorologists are uncertain if the potential system will bring heavy rain to Chennai as it may follow a track towards Andhra Pradesh.
A fourth low-pressure system is expected to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 13, according to The Times of India. The system may intensify into a depression within 48 hours, though its impact on Chennai and nearby districts remains unclear.
V R Durai, director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre at RMC Chennai, said the system could intensify into a cyclone. He noted that sea-surface temperatures are usually warmer during El Nino conditions and that many systems in November move west-northwestwards towards the east coast, including Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Some weather models suggest the system might follow a path similar to the severe cyclonic storm Murasu, which hit near Ongole in Andhra Pradesh. If this occurs, Chennai might miss the primary rain-bearing region of the system.
Durai stated that the areas receiving rainfall depend on the formation location and the track. He added that because the system may follow the same path as Murasu, a heavy rainfall forecast has not been issued for Chennai for November 18-19, though it is too early to be certain.
Chennai and neighbouring districts are expected to have largely dry weather for the next few days. On Thursday, the city and its suburbs may see very light rain in some areas, with temperatures ranging between 24-25°C and 31-32°C.
Since October 1, Chennai has recorded 389mm of rain, which is 8 per cent below normal. In Tiruvallur, rainfall reached 338.8mm, which is 4 per cent above normal.
