Chennai: Heavy rains lashed the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu since early this morning even as the cyclonic storm ‘Nada’ over the southwest Bay of Bengal was expected to weaken gradually into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

“It has moved west-northwestwards during the past six hours with a speed of about 22 kmph. It was lay centred today morning at 5:30 am near Latitude 10.4 degrees North and Longitude 81.8 degrees East over southwest Bay of Bengal, about 330 km south-southeast of Chennai, 270 km southeast of Puducherry and 210 km north-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka),” said a Meteorological Department official.

“The system is very likely to move west-northwestward, intensify further and cross the north Tamil Nadu coast between Vedaranyam and Puducherry, close to Cuddalore by the early hours of 2 December. The intensity of rainfall would increase, with rainfall at most places, heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over interior Tamil Nadu today and tomorrow,” he added.

The city witnessed light showers in the morning. While Meenambakkam recorded 0.1 cm and Nungambakkam recorded 0.08 cm of rainfall. The maximum temperature was 30.3 and 31.1 degrees celsius at Meenambakkam and Nungambakkam respectively. Minimum temperature was 22 and 23 degrees celsius respectively at the two centres.

In the next 24 hours, the sky condition is likely to be generally cloudy in the city. Moderate rain is likely to occur in some areas. Chennai has been witnessing light to moderate incessant rains and thundershowers since early morning. Similarly, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, Cuddalore, Pamban and Trichy have also had good rains. Chennai will see a few heavy spells if not flooding during the next 24 to 48 hours. Wind speed will also pick up pace by today in the coastal areas.