Red Alert in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh amid heavy rainfall

Several southern states of the country including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have been reeling under heavy rains for over 15 days so far. And now, the weather department had given a red alert to all coastal districts of Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai till Saturday and an orange alert to the adjacent districts.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry are also expected to receive heavy rainfall on Saturday under the influence of a cyclonic circulation. At least 18 self-contained teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry as they brace for heavy rains again. They are expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next 4-5 days.

As per the Indian Meteorological Department, the state of Tamil Nadu is most likely to receive 'isolated extremely heavy' rainfall till November 29, while Andhra Pradesh is predicted to receive a spell of heavy rainfall from November 26 to 29.

IMD's official release on the matter said, "Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during 26th to 29th November. Isolated Extremely Heavy falls also likely over north Tamil Nadu today, the 26th Nov, 2021. Isolated heavy rainfall also very likely over Kerala & Mahe, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and Rayalaseema during the same period. Isolated very heavy falls also very likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and Rayalaseema on 28th and 29th November, 2021," the official press release read.

The IMD also issued an advisory warning the local fishermen that squally winds are very likely over Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, along the Tamil Nadu coast and Bay of Bengal on November 26 and 27 and that, fishermen should not venture into these areas.