Chennai residents can expect some relief from the threat of heavy rains as the latest weather updates indicate that the depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is moving away from the city. Earlier predictions warned of heavy downpours, but the forecast has now been revised to manageable rains, thanks to the shifting weather pattern.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the depression moved northwestwards at a speed of 10 kmph and is now centered 440 km away from the Chennai coast as of 11:30 pm last night. The system is expected to continue its movement west-northwestwards, crossing the coast between Puducherry and Nellore, close to Chennai, during the early morning hours of October 17.

“It is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross the north Tamil Nadu – south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore, close to Chennai, during the early morning of October 17,” the IMD update read.

Pradeep John, popularly known as the “Tamil Nadu Weatherman,” reassured Chennai residents that while there might be some rain due to the pull effect of the depression, it will be manageable.

“There might be some pull effect rains from the depression once it moves inland on October 18-20, but in Chennai, these will be normal, manageable rains,” said Pradeep John in his weather update.

Parts of Chennai have already received moderate rainfall since last night, but the fear of heavy, disruptive rain has largely diminished. The city will continue to experience light to moderate rains in the coming days, with no significant disruption expected.