Tamil Nadu Weather Alert: Heavy Rains Expected Across Multiple Districts as Low-Pressure Area Intensifies

Heavy rain is forecast for Chennai and several northern, delta, and western districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday. The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for isolated places in Theni, Dindigul, and Madurai districts due to expectations of extremely heavy rainfall.

Rain Forecasts

Heavy rain is expected at isolated places across Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Erode, Virudhunagar, Kanyakumari, and Puducherry. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely in Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchi, Karur, Cuddalore, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Sivaganga, and Karaikal. On Monday, heavy to very heavy rain will likely hit Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram, with heavy rain also expected in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari. Tuesday's forecast includes heavy rain in Ramanathapuram, moderate rain in parts of south Tamil Nadu, and light rain elsewhere in the state.

Weather Systems

Rainfall already occurred at around 80% of places across Tamil Nadu till 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Out of 620 online stations, 493 recorded rainfall, with Burliyar station recording the highest quantum at 25 cm. A low-pressure area over the east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal became well-marked by Saturday morning. It is expected to intensify into a depression, move west-northwestward into a deep depression on Sunday, and turn into a cyclonic storm by Monday morning before reaching near the Andhra Pradesh coast by Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, a separate low-pressure area over the Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area impacted rains over the Western Ghats.

Context

Seasonal weather systems like low-pressure areas over the Bay of Bengal frequently bring heavy rainfall and storms to the coastal and interior regions of Tamil Nadu during this time of the year. Meteorological departments closely track these systems to issue timely alerts and help local authorities prepare for potential disruptions.