Chennai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has escalated warnings across Tamil Nadu, announcing that the Northeast Monsoon has intensified more rapidly than anticipated, prompting a Red Alert for multiple districts. The alert highlights risks of sea storms and widespread, heavy rainfall, exacerbated by the potential development of twin depressions in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
Since its onset on October 16, the monsoon has already delivered substantial rainfall, particularly impacting southern districts such as Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Virudhunagar. Concurrently, northern districts including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and Villupuram have experienced heavy showers, resulting in urban waterlogging and signaling an aggressive start to the seasonal rains.
Chennai Weather Today
Private weather blogger K Srikanth of Chennai rains predicted that “Widespread rains along Delta coast. Stretch between Pondicherry and Delta will continue to see moderate to heavy rains. Meanwhile on and off rains along Chennai coast so morning hours as usual will see spells of rains coming in.”
Comprehensive District-Wise Forecast Predicts Extended Heavy Rainfall
The IMD has outlined a detailed multi-day forecast, indicating significant rainfall across numerous districts. On October 21, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is expected across many areas, with heavy rainfall likely in Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Puducherry, and Karaikal. Additionally, isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Theni, and Dindigul.
By October 22, the rainfall pattern will persist, with heavy showers forecast for Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Puducherry, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Tirupattur, Vellore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Pudukkottai. The situation intensifies on October 23, with heavy to very heavy rain expected in Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, and Vellore, alongside heavy rainfall in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Tirupattur. On October 24, heavy rain will continue in Tirupattur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Erode, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and Dharmapuri.
Dual Low-Pressure Systems Threaten to Escalate into Cyclonic Storms
Amplifying the monsoon’s intensity, the IMD is monitoring two significant weather developments. A low-pressure area currently over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep is expected to move west-northwestward and intensify into a depression within the next 36 hours. Simultaneously, another low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal by October 21, potentially evolving into a depression over the central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.