Cyclone Vardah roars over India with heavy rain, flooding

By Kristina Pydynowski , AccuWeather senior meteorologist

By Adam Douty , AccuWeather meteorologist

By Jordan Root , AccuWeather meteorologist

December 13,2016, 5:09:13AM,EST

 

 Cyclone Vardah continues to threaten India with heavy rain and flooding as it moves farther inland.

Vardah intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal over the weekend and made landfall Monday afternoon, local time.

While Vardah will weaken as it interacts with land, there will still be dangerous conditions for some. The area most susceptible to Vardah’s heaviest rain will lie along the path of the cyclone as it tracks inland which includes Andhra and northern Tamil Nadu Pradesh.
Significant flooding could unfold for communities and along streams and small rivers.
Totals of 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) will be common across southeastern Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu. Flooding issues will tend to be more localized than near the point of landfall.
Rainfall totaling 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) will spread inland across cities such as Bengaluru and Anantpur.

Strong wind gusts will continue near the center of Vardah with gusts up to 100 kph (60 mph) possible. This will be capable of tree and structure damage in some areas along with downed power lines and power outages.
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Where flooding does not ensue, the rain will be beneficial to cut the mounting rainfall deficits across the area.
Rainfall since the start of October has been well below normal across Andhra Pradesh, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Chennai has only received 27 percent of the 631 mm (24.85 inches) that typically falls since the start of October.
Vardah will rapidly weaken through the next 24 hours. Gusty winds will lessen away from the coast. Rain will become more showery in nature with only isolated downpours as it spreads to Karnataka through Tuesday.