Tamil Nadu braces for intense rains as Northeast Monsoon gains strength; IMD issues red alert for coastal districts
Chennai: Tamil Nadu is set to experience intensified rainfall over the next several days as the Northeast Monsoon gains momentum, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, have both forecast major rain activity, fuelled by two low-pressure systems developing over nearby seas.
Following the official onset of the Northeast Monsoon on October 16, the southern districts have already seen heavy rain, with places like Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tuticorin and Virudhunagar receiving intense downpours. In the north, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and Villupuram also recorded sharp showers, leading to waterlogging in some urban areas.
The IMD stated, “Under its influence, enhanced rainfall activity is likely over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during October 22–24.”
Multiple weather systems fueling rainfall
A well-marked low-pressure area currently lies over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep region off the Kerala-Karnataka coast. According to the IMD, this system is expected to move west-northwest and could intensify into a depression within 36 hours.
Simultaneously, another low-pressure area is expected to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around October 21. This system may evolve into a depression over the central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, raising the potential for more widespread rainfall as it nears the Tamil Nadu coast.
The RMC warned, “The system’s strengthening is likely to result in increased rainfall intensity in coastal and adjoining interior districts.”
Rainfall forecast highlights:
- Sunday (Oct 20):
- Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
- Heavy rain in parts of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.
- Monday (Oct 21):
- Heavy rainfall expected at isolated places in Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Mayiladuthurai and Kallakurichi.
- Moderate rain likely in Madurai, Dindigul and Virudhunagar.
- Tuesday (Oct 22):
- A red alert has been issued for north coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Villupuram.
- Very heavy rainfall is expected in these regions, with possible heavy showers in Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Vellore.
In Chennai, skies will remain generally cloudy with intermittent light to moderate rain, possibly accompanied by thunder and lightning. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 28–29°C, with a minimum of 25–26°C.
Sea warning issued
The Meteorological Department has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea due to expected rough conditions caused by the low-pressure systems.
Agencies