The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for Chennai and Puducherry as Cyclone Senyar is expected to intensify in the coming days, with heavy rainfall forecast for several coastal regions. As of Thursday, Cyclonic Storm Senyar is active over the Strait of Malacca. The IMD said the Andaman & Nicobar Islands may experience heavy to very heavy rain on November 26-27, followed by additional heavy rain on November 28-29.

Cyclone Senyar originated from a depression over the Strait of Malacca, which strengthened into a deep depression and later into a cyclone. As of 5:30 am IST on November 27, it was located near 6.3°N and 82.4°E, about 150 km east of Hambantota and 170 km south-southeast of Batticaloa in Sri Lanka. The system is moving north-northwest at 8 km/h and is likely to become a cyclonic storm within 12 hours, heading toward North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh over the next two days.

Heavy rainfall is expected in several regions under Senyar’s influence. The IMD forecasted isolated heavy to very heavy rain over the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on November 26-27 and isolated heavy rain on November 28-29. Thunderstorms with lightning are likely in Tamil Nadu (Nov 26-30), Kerala and Mahe (Nov 26-27), Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema (Nov 29-30), and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with gusty winds ranging from 40-60 km/h. The IMD also warned of rough to very high seas across parts of the South Andaman Sea, Southwest and Southeast Bay of Bengal, and along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sri Lanka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and the Maldives between November 26-30.

Fishermen are advised to avoid fishing near Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Nicobar Islands, and the South Andaman Sea until November 28. Those at sea near Andhra Pradesh should return by November 27. Fishermen are also warned to stay away from the Southeast Bay of Bengal, Southwest Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-Sri Lanka coasts, West-central Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh coast, Southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Maldives, and Kerala coast.