Chennai, July 6 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore and the Nilgiris on Monday as multiple weather systems continue to influence conditions across southern India.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, a trough at mean sea level extends from south Gujarat to Kerala, creating favourable conditions for widespread rainfall over parts of Tamil Nadu.

In addition, the deep depression that lay over the northwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast on Sunday has weakened into a depression.

The weather system is expected to move west-northwestwards over the next 24 hours and cross the north Odisha coast between Chandbali and Tikarpada, near Balasore. Thereafter, it is likely to continue moving west-northwestwards across north Odisha and into north Chhattisgarh.

Under the influence of these systems, the IMD has predicted heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds at one or two places in Coimbatore and the Nilgiris on Monday.

Other districts along the Western Ghats are likely to experience moderate rainfall at isolated places, accompanied by strong winds.

Moderate rain with gusty winds is also expected at isolated locations across the remaining districts of Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry.

The weather department said similar conditions are likely to persist over the Western Ghats districts on Tuesday, with moderate rainfall and gusty winds expected at isolated places. Other parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are also likely to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by strong winds at isolated locations.

Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast continued moderate rainfall over the Western Ghats districts in the following days, while the rest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to receive light to moderate showers at isolated places between July 9 and July 11.

The Regional Meteorological Centre also said there is no significant change expected in the maximum temperatures over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next two days. However, temperatures may rise marginally in some areas.

Authorities have advised residents, particularly in districts likely to receive heavy rain, to remain alert for sudden weather changes, strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Travellers and people living in hilly regions have also been urged to exercise caution during periods of intense rainfall.

–IANS

aal/dpb