Tamil Nadu faces heavy rain spell till September 25 to cut down summer heat

Tamil Nadu is set to experience a widespread wet spell driven by a north-south trough extending till the Gulf of Mannar, with rain expected to continue until September 25. The coming weather system is expected to bring much-needed relief from oppressive summer-like heat conditions across the State.

Rain Forecast

Rain is expected in 14 districts on September 20 and 21, including Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Ariyalur, and Nagapattinam. On Sunday and Monday, 15 districts such as Nilgiris, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Tiruchi, and Madurai may receive heavy rainfall in isolated places, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. A total of 14 other districts, including Chennai, Sivagangai, Thanjavur, Erode, and Nagapattinam, will likely experience moderate rainfall, while other areas will see light rain till Monday. North and delta districts, including Villupuram and Pudukottai, remain under the path of the rain-bearing system till September 25. Chennai is forecast to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas with maximum temperatures staying around 36 to 37 degrees Celsius.

Weather Conditions

On Saturday, Palayamkottai recorded the highest day temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, and several weather stations like Chennai reported above-normal temperatures. Places including Valparai, Kodaikanal, Namakkal, and Madurai received light to moderate rainfall till Saturday evening. V.R. Durai, who is the Head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre at the RMC, stated that increased cloud cover and rainfall will keep temperatures close to normal in most parts of the State till September 23, aided by southwesterly wind patterns that help wind convergence and rainfall.

Low Pressure Impact

While a developing low-pressure area may reach the intensity of a deep depression over the West-Central Bay of Bengal, officials noted it will not strengthen into a cyclone this season. Because it is forming far away and moving northwestwards, it will not have a direct impact on Tamil Nadu in terms of water storage. Meanwhile, the Southwest monsoon began retreating from West Rajasthan on Saturday. The current wet spell over Tamil Nadu is expected to help narrow the state's rain deficit, which currently stands at 23 percent.