Southwest Monsoon Advances into Tamil Nadu; Heavy to Very Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Several Districts
The Southwest Monsoon officially set in over Kerala on Thursday and has advanced into parts of Tamil Nadu, bringing widespread rainfall across the state. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph at several places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until June 8.
According to the weather department, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Kanniyakumari, the Nilgiris, and Coimbatore districts. Heavy rainfall warnings have also been issued for Theni, Dindigul, Tiruppur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Sivaganga, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Villuppuram, Vellore, Ranipet, Erode, and the ghat areas of Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, along with Puducherry and Karaikal.
Rainfall to Intensify Over the Weekend
The RMC has indicated that rainfall activity will intensify further during the weekend.
June 6 Forecast
Heavy to Very Heavy Rain: Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari, Theni, and Dindigul.
Heavy Rain: Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruppur, Madurai, Virudhunagar, and the ghat areas of Tenkasi and Tirunelveli.
June 7 Forecast
Heavy to Very Heavy Rain: Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, and Kanniyakumari.
Heavy Rain: Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Virudhunagar, and the ghat areas of Tenkasi and Tirunelveli.
June 8 to June 10 Forecast
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue over western and southern Tamil Nadu, particularly in:
- Nilgiris
- Coimbatore
- Tiruppur
- Dindigul
- Theni
- Kanniyakumari
- Ghat areas of Tirunelveli and Tenkasi
Highest Rainfall Recorded in Tirunelveli
Amid active monsoon conditions, Nalumukku in Tirunelveli district recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 87 mm during the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. Oothu recorded the second-highest rainfall at 80 mm.
Chennai Continues to Experience Heat
Despite the onset of monsoon conditions, Chennai remained one of the hottest places in Tamil Nadu, recording a maximum temperature of 40.3°C on Thursday. The weather department has warned that high humidity combined with elevated temperatures could continue to cause discomfort in coastal districts.
For Chennai, generally cloudy skies are expected, with maximum temperatures ranging between 38°C and 39°C. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and isolated heavy spells is also likely over the city.
Temperature Likely to Drop Across Tamil Nadu
The Regional Meteorological Centre has stated that maximum temperatures are expected to gradually decrease by 2°C to 4°C across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal by June 8 as monsoon conditions strengngthen across the region.
