Intermittent rain lashed many places in and around Chennai on November 18 as the depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal moved closer inland. The India Meteorological Department said the depression lay 100 km south-southeast of Chennai at around 9 p.m. IST, and moved at a speed of 18 kmph over the past few hours
The IMD withdrew the red alert for Chennai and surrounding districts as there were slim chances of extremely heavy rain. However, an orange alert, indicating heavy to very heavy rain, has been issued for Chennai and neighbouring districts as the system may cross between Puducherry and Chennai in the early hours of November 19.
The system would trigger heavy to very heavy rain in several interior districts, including Tiruvannamalai, Salem and Krishnagiri, on November 19. Places, including Chennai and Kallakurichi, may experience heavy rain on November 19. On November 18, several places received moderate to heavy rain. As the system moved closer to the Tamil Nadu coast, places such as Cuddalore (10 cm), Puducherry (15 cm), Thirukovilur in Kallakurichi (11 cm) and Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district (8 cm) received heavy rain till 5.30 p.m. Meenambakkam in Chennai recorded 5 cm, Nungambakkam, 3 cm, and West Tambaram, Villivakkam, Anna University and MRC Nagar in Chennai and Tiruttani, 4 cm each.