Chennai: A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal, setting the stage for a potential cyclonic storm named ‘Montha’ that is expected to make landfall early next week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has responded by issuing an Orange Alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts on Monday, October 27, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
The system, which formed this morning, is currently tracking west-northwestwards and is expected to concentrate into a depression by October 26 before intensifying into a cyclonic storm. The name ‘Montha’ was suggested by Thailand, means “fragrant flower” or “beautiful flower” in the Thai language. The name is part of the naming system for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region.
Cyclone MONTHA: Intensifying Monsoon and Heavy Rains Lash Western and Northern Districts
The threat of the impending cyclone comes as the Northeast Monsoon continues to be active over Tamil Nadu. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall for several interior districts today, including Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Erode, Tirupattur, Vellore, and Ranipet.
This widespread rainfall is a result of the intensified monsoon conditions, which are being further fuelled by the developing system in the Bay of Bengal. The convergence of these weather patterns is creating a volatile situation, with the potential for significant rainfall accumulation across a broad swath of the state in the coming days.
School Holiday Declared in Chennai as State Braces for Impact
In a preemptive move, authorities have declared a holiday for schools in Chennai on the day the storm is expected to impact the region. This decision underscores the severity of the forecast and aims to ensure public safety by minimizing travel and exposure to the severe weather.
While a previous depression in the Bay of Bengal dissipated without intensifying into a named storm, meteorological models show higher confidence for the current system. The IMD has indicated that the depression forming towards the end of October possesses the necessary atmospheric conditions to develop into Cyclone Montha, prompting officials and residents to begin preparations for potential flooding, strong winds, and disruptions to normal life.