Chennai sees steady rain as heavy rainfall alert issued in nine Tamil Nadu districts

Chennai: Moderate rainfall accompanied by cool winds has been lashing Chennai since the early hours of Sunday, disrupting normal life across the city and nearby districts as weather officials warned of heavy rain at isolated locations over the next 24 hours.

Several localities in Chennai, including Kodambakkam, Choolaimedu, Periyar Pathai, Vadapalani, Koyambedu and Nungambakkam, have been receiving rainfall. Moderate rainfall has also been reported in Nanganallur, Alandur, Ekkattuthangal and Ashok Nagar, affecting morning walkers and commuters heading out for work and business.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), an easterly wave prevailing over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the Sri Lankan coast, is likely to bring widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu in the coming days.

Heavy rain alert in nine districts

The RMC said light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning may occur at isolated places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated locations in Chengalpattu, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Namakkal, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Ramanathapuram, as well as in Puducherry.

Forecast for coming days

• January 26, 2026: Light to moderate rain likely at a few places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
• January 27–30, 2026: Dry weather expected to prevail over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

For Chennai, the sky is expected to remain generally cloudy through the day. Moderate rain with thunder and lightning may occur in some parts of the city. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 28–29°C, while the minimum temperature may be around 22–23°C.

Temperatures and rainfall data

Rains and an overcast sky have kept the chill in check, with several places, including Chennai, Tiruchi and Salem, recording above-normal minimum temperatures. Coimbatore airport registered the lowest minimum temperature in the plains of Tamil Nadu at 18.9°C, while Udhagamandalam recorded the coldest temperature among hill stations at 6.4°C.

Officials said a trough in easterlies lying over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the Tamil Nadu–Sri Lanka coast continues to influence scattered rainfall. The heavy rainfall forecast was revised based on the movement of the weather system, with dry weather expected to return by Tuesday.

Tamil Nadu has received 26 mm of rainfall since January 1, marking a surplus compared to its average of 10.8 mm for the period. Several districts, including Ariyalur, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode, Salem and Sivaganga, have recorded excess rainfall so far this month.