Northeast Monsoon Arrives Early in Tamil Nadu with Orange Alert Issued for Six Districts

Tamil Nadu's major rainy season has begun five days ahead of its normal date, as the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai declared the onset of the Northeast monsoon on Thursday, October 15, 2026, coinciding with the withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon. The arrival was declared after northeasterly winds began and fairly widespread rainfall was recorded across the State.

Rain Forecast

The RMC issued an orange alert for six districts, including the Nilgiris and Madurai, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall of up to 20 cm on Friday. Wet weather will continue till October 21 with heavy rain in some places, while isolated parts of various coastal and interior districts may also see heavy downpours. Although the Southwest monsoon ended with a 20% rainfall deficit in Tamil Nadu, the Northeast monsoon is forecast to bring normal rainfall overall. Above-normal rain is expected in the Delta and southern regions, normal rain in north coastal areas, and below-normal rain in north interior areas.

Expert Views and State Preparation

V.R. Durai, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, noted that El Niño is expected to strengthen further and stay till February, though its impact depends on Bay of Bengal weather systems and cyclone tracks. Former Deputy Director-General of Meteorology Y.E.A. Raj pointed out that historical data since 1901 shows an early onset does not guarantee above-normal rainfall. Meanwhile, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan stated that the State government has completed nearly 98% of monsoon preparedness works, keeping hospitals ready, reviewing Amma Unavagams for food supply, and setting up school rehabilitation centres. A ministerial team led by Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna and IAS officers have been assigned to oversee rescue and relief efforts across the 15 zones of Chennai. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay also inspected flood mitigation and desilting works at Captain Cotton Canal in Vyasarpadi and the Otteri Nullah and Buckingham Canal confluence.

Context

The Northeast monsoon is the primary rainy season for Tamil Nadu, bringing the bulk of the State's annual precipitation between October and December. Government agencies routinely ramp up drainage desilting and disaster preparedness ahead of these months to manage potential urban flooding.