The well-marked low-pressure area in the South-East Bay of Bengal did not intensify into a depression as expected on Wednesday, but persisted through the day.

The India Met Department (IMD) has extended a window for another 24 hours for the system to intensify and has issued high wind alert for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts from Friday.

The US National Centre for Environmental Prediction sees the system drifting towards the Chennai coast in Tamil Nadu by Friday morning en route to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.

An IMD outlook for Thursday said heavy rain is likely at one or two places along coastal Tamil Nadu over Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, Puducherry and Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Dindigul and Madurai.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts did not see much scope for intensification and projects that the system would maintain the status of a depression for the most part.

All model forecasts veer towards a track that takes the storm towards Gangetic Bengal coast by November 9 (middle of next week).

The US Climate Prediction Centre has forecast surplus rainfall over the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Bengal coasts and less intense rain over adjoining North-Eastern States during the rest of this week.

But the week that follows will be quiet in terms of activity in the seas and likely draw a blank in terms of recorded rainfall over the South Peninsula, the US agency said.

Meanwhile, during the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning, the North-East monsoon has been normal over Tamil Nadu, the Met Office said.

Rainfall occurred (and heavier at times) at most places over Lakshadweep; at many places over Kerala; and at a few places over coastal Karnataka, south interior Karnataka and at one or two places over Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and north interior Karnataka.

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