In a new twist, Deep Depression to intensify as Cyclonic Storm, to cross Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast on Saturday

Chennai: In a new twist, the Met Office on Friday said the Deep Depression over the Bay will intensify into a Cyclonic Storm Fengal in the next three hours and cross the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Saturday afternoon.

After monitoring the weather pattern, the Met office yesterday said the system would not intensify and instead weaken and cross the coast tomorrow morning as a Depression.

However, the system gained momentum, following which a Cyclone alert was issued for North

Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts.

Met office said the Deep Depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards and lay centred over the same region near 310 km east of Nagappattinam, 360 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 400 km southeast of Chennai.

It is likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm Fengal during the next three hours.

It is very likely to move north-westwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry around Saturday afternoon as a Cyclonic Storm with a strong wind speed of 70-80 kmph and gusting to 90 kmph.

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The Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 7 Kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today, the 29th November 2024 over the same region near latitude 10.4°N and longitude 82.7°E, about 260 km northeast of… pic.twitter.com/7BynhY1ZcD

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 29, 2024 >

Meanwhile, moderate rains lashed Chennai and its neighbouring districts of Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur and North coastal districts since last night.

As the system started intensifying, the intensity of the rains, accompanied by strong winds is expected to increase and the Met office has issued a Red Alert promising very heavy rains.