IMD Raises Red Flag as Storm Intensifies
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as Cyclone Senyar gathers strength over the south horizon. The storm is moving west-northwest after emerging from a deep depression in the Malacca Strait and is expected to make landfall along the South Indian coast by the evening of November 27.
Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds Expected
Originating from a turbulent interaction between the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea, Cyclone Senyar is predicted to bring extremely heavy rainfall and destructive winds. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are expected to be impacted.
Wind speeds may escalate to 60–100 km/h, posing significant danger in coastal and island regions. According to IMD, light to moderate rainfall is expected in the Nicobar Islands from today through November 27, followed by isolated heavy to very heavy downpours.
Tamil Nadu Faces Renewed Threat
Tamil Nadu, still recovering from recent flooding in Thoothukudi that submerged homes and disrupted daily life, is bracing for another round of severe weather. Schools and colleges were earlier shut on November 25 due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, south of Sri Lanka, which has been contributing to unsettled conditions.
Forecasters warn of more rainfall in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and along the coastal belts of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, increasing the risk of rising river water levels and urban flooding.
Authorities on Alert, Fishermen Advised to Stay Ashore
Although mass evacuations have not been planned yet, authorities remain on high alert. Fisherfolk have been instructed to bring their boats ashore, and residents have been advised to stock up on essential supplies in anticipation of worsening conditions.
A Region Braces for Impact
The arrival of Cyclone Senyar underscores the unpredictability of nature and the vulnerability of coastal regions. As South India prepares to face the approaching storm, the big question remains: Will the rains ease after November 28? For now, the region waits under darkening skies.