Talk about a weather rollercoaster. The story of Cyclone Nada has been one of twists, turns, and total surprises for us here in Tamil Nadu. What started as a promising rain-bringer in the Bay of Bengal quickly became a source of disappointment, only to roar back to life with a vengeance, especially over Chennai. It’s a fascinating tale of how a weakened storm managed to pull off an incredible comeback.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Cyclone Nada was initially predicted to bring beneficial rain without causing significant damage.
- ✓ The storm initially fizzled out over northern districts, including Chennai, due to dry air intrusion on November 30th.
- ✓ In a surprising turn, the weakened system re-intensified as a severe low-pressure trough off the Chennai coast.
- ✓ This revitalized system battered Chennai and its suburbs with over 18 hours of continuous, heavy rainfall, leading to waterlogging.
- ✓ Forecasters predict the northeast monsoon will intensify again after December 15th, promising more rain for the month.
The Initial Promise and Sudden Disappointment
When news of Cyclone Nada first started brewing, there was a sense of cautious optimism. The well-known private forecaster, Tamil Nadu Weatherman Pradeep John, had predicted that this system would be more of a friend than a foe. Industry experts suggest that His forecast suggested it would deliver widespread, beneficial rain across the state without the destructive winds often associated with cyclones. And for a moment, it looked like he was spot on.
The system made its entry into Tamil Nadu on November 29th, bringing welcome showers to many southern and delta districts. However, as it moved north, something unexpected happened. A sudden intrusion of dry air punched right into the core of the cyclone, weakening it significantly. This was particularly felt in the northern districts on November 30th. While heavy downpours were anticipated, what we got was far less than expected, leaving many in Chennai feeling let down.
The cyclone seemed to have lost its steam, weakening near the Chennai coast. For a while, it felt like the big rain event everyone was bracing for was a bust. Another important factor is People who had been looking forward to the rains to replenish water sources were left wondering what went wrong. The initial excitement quickly turned into a collective sigh of disappointment across the city.
The Comeback Kid: Nada's Second Wind
But here's where the story takes a dramatic turn. Just when we thought it was all over, the remnants of Nada staged a spectacular comeback. The weakened system, now lingering off the coast as a low-pressure area, didn't just dissipate. Instead, it re-energized itself into a severe low-pressure trough, settling stubbornly over the coastal regions near Chennai. Recent reports indicate that
What's absolutely fascinating is how it did this. The system began to draw in moisture-laden winds from an incredibly distant source: the Himalayas. This infusion of moist air was like a shot of adrenaline, fueling the system and allowing it to generate powerful, rain-bearing clouds. It was a meteorological plot twist that no one saw coming.
The Deluge: 18 Hours of Non-Stop Rain
The result of this second wind was nothing short of a deluge. Starting from the morning of the previous day, the revitalized system unleashed its fury. Chennai and its surrounding suburban areas, including Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram, were battered by relentless, non-stop rain. There were no breaks, no pauses—just a continuous downpour that lasted for more than 18 hours straight.
The intensity varied across the region. Some places experienced heavy rain, others got very heavy showers, and a few spots were even hit with extremely heavy rainfall. This sustained onslaught quickly overwhelmed the city's drainage systems. Before long, streets in several parts of Chennai and its suburbs were submerged, creating flood-like scenes and causing significant disruption. The very rain that people were disappointed not to receive a day earlier had arrived with a vengeance.
Even as the system finally began to weaken yesterday morning, it continued to pour over the northern districts. It eventually downgraded from an intense trough to a less severe low-pressure area off the coast, but not before leaving its mark. Recent reports indicate that The surprising turn of events also drew crowds to places like Marina Beach, where people gathered despite the rough seas and police warnings, a testament to the dramatic and captivating nature of the weather event. A notable point here is
Looking Ahead: What Does the Rest of December Hold.
So, with the drama of Nada now behind us, the big question is: what's next. According to Pradeep John, we shouldn't be putting our umbrellas away just yet. Now that the cyclone has passed, the easterly winds are set to become more active. This means the rain is likely to continue for a little while longer.
The forecast suggests that coastal districts can expect rain in the early morning and morning hours, while interior districts will likely see showers in the evening or at night. This pattern is expected to continue until Saturday, the 6th of the month. After that, we might get a short break in the weather. But the key date to watch is December 15th. Pradeep John states that after this date, the northeast monsoon is expected to intensify once again, suggesting that December is shaping up to be a pretty wet month. Recent reports indicate that
The official weather center’s report echoes this, forecasting more rain. Moderate rain with thunderstorms is on the cards for many places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. More specifically, heavy to very heavy rain is predicted for isolated areas in the Nilgiris, Erode, and Coimbatore districts. What's particularly interesting is Other districts like Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Tenkasi, Nellai, Kanyakumari, Salem, and Namakkal are also on alert for spells of heavy rain.
Conclusion
The journey of Cyclone Nada was a perfect example of nature's unpredictability. It transitioned from a hopeful rain-bringer to a near-dud, only to reinvent itself as a powerful low-pressure system that delivered a shocking amount of rain to the northern districts. It served as a potent reminder that the monsoon is far from over.
The bottom line is that the northeast monsoon season is still very much in play. With forecasters pointing towards another intense spell of rain after December 15th, it seems clear that we should stay prepared for more wet weather ahead. Cyclone Nada may have moved on, but its parting gift was a clear sign that this monsoon has more surprises in store.
