Deep depression to cross Tamil Nadu coast soon, says IMD

NLC says mining activities affected, lower power generation in all linked power stations

A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is moving close to coastal Tamil Nadu and is expected to cross the land close to Cuddalore by Monday evening, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

The department, in its Bulletin on Monday noon, said that the deep depression was moving at a speed of 15 kmph during the six hours till Monday afternoon, and was about 40 kilometers east-south-east of Puducherry.

It would move west-north-westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu coast near Puducherry, within a few hours, said a bulletin issued at 14:30 hours. The deep depression is expected to gradually come down to a depression on Tuesday, with speeds of 45-55 kmph and later to 34-45 kmph

Many of the cities in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, have received heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday. The IMD predicted rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (25 cm or more) over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during next 24 hours.

Rainfall at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would occur over south Tamil Nadu, Rayalseema, south coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 24 hrs and over coastal and south interior Karnataka and Kerala during next 48 hours, it added.

Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram districts of south Tamil Nadu coasts during next 24 hrs. Fishermen were advised not to venture into sea in these areas during the time.

Sales of cracker during the Diwali celebrations has been low till Monday noon, with heavy rainfall keep customers away from fire cracker shops. Various parts of Chennai and other cities faced power cut during the day.

Public Sector Undertaking Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited said that the mining activities have been affected due to the heavy rainfall resulting in lower power generation in all linked power stations since these are open cast mines. Cuddalore and Neyveli region has been experiencing excessive rainfall since November 8, 2015 with around 200mm of rainfall in the last one day.

"Pumping out of excess water from the mines is in progress. Contingency and disaster management plans are in operation and the normalcy in mining operation and power generation is expected to be restored shortly. This is not an unusual occurrence as, this occurs usually during North-east monsoon between October and December every year," it said.