Tamil Nadu Rain Alert: Low-Pressure System to Bring Heavy Rain, Chennai to Get Showers for 3 Days

A low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the Tamil Nadu coast is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several parts of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is likely to experience moderate rainfall over the next three days, with heavy rain possible on October 25, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

The weather system developed on Wednesday under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.

Heavy Rain Alert for Tamil Nadu Districts

On Thursday, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai, as well as Karaikal.

On Friday, Kanniyakumari, Nilgiris and Coimbatore may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Heavy rain is also expected at isolated places in Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchy, Madurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tiruppur, Perambalur and Puducherry.

RMC Director and Senior Atmospheric Scientist VR Durai said rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely to continue across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry until October 26. He indicated that a red alert was unlikely because the current system was weak and had a low chance of intensifying.

Chennai Weather Forecast and Rainfall Records

Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu are likely to receive moderate rainfall. Heavy rain is possible in Chennai on October 25 as the weather system moves northwards.

On Wednesday, several parts of Chennai recorded significant rainfall:

MGR Nagar: 15.4 cm

Vadapalani: 13.7 cm

Saidapet: 12.9 cm

Alandur and Chennai Airport: 12.8 cm each

Kolapakkam: 12.6 cm

Meenambakkam: 12.4 cm

Winds of 35–45 kmph, with gusts reaching 55 kmph, are expected. Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution along coastal areas for the next two days.

Another Low-Pressure System Expected

The RMC official also indicated that another low-pressure area was expected to form over the southeast and east-central Bay of Bengal on October 23. It could intensify into a deep depression and move west-southwestwards.

Meanwhile, a separate weather system over the southwest Arabian Sea is moving west-northwest towards the Somali coast.

Tamil Nadu Records 12% Monsoon Rainfall Surplus

Tamil Nadu recorded 11.1 cm of rainfall between October 1 and October 21, compared with the normal 10 cm for the period, representing a 12% surplus. The state`s n normal northeast monsoon rainfall is around 44 cm between October and December.

The RMC also clarified that the red alert previously issued for Chennai was withdrawn after the atmospheric circulation over North Tamil Nadu weakened faster than anticipated. Officials from the India Meteorological Department and Greater Chennai Corporation are cross-checking and calibrating their rain gauges to resolve discrepancies in rainfall measurements.

Residents are advised to follow official weather bulletins and take precautions during periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds.