Tamil Nadu Monsoon Intensifies: Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Diwali and Triggers Orange Alert Across Multiple Districts

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu experienced intense rainfall on Monday, with Tuticorin being severely impacted, affecting Diwali celebrations. The city recorded over 8 cm of overnight precipitation, resulting in inundation of low-lying areas and water intrusion into residences.

Several other regions including The Nilgiris, Erode, Theni, Virudhunagar, and Tirunelveli also faced heavy downpours as the northeast monsoon strengthened across the southern state.

The Regional Meteorological Centre reported that Coonoor, Burliar, and Periyakulam received approximately 9-10 cm of rainfall, while Kodivery in Erode, Servalar in Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin railway station each recorded 8 cm.

Officials reported that numerous key reservoirs throughout the state have reached near-full capacity following continuous rainfall in recent days.

Low Pressure And Depression Forecast

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea is predicted to intensify into a depression within 24 hours, moving in a westward direction.

An additional low-pressure system is expected to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours and may develop into a depression over the central parts of the South Bay during the subsequent 48 hours.

Heavy To Very Heavy Rain Forecast

Increased rainfall activity is anticipated over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal during the next four days.

For Monday and Tuesday, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore districts, along with Puducherry and Karaikal, are under orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain.

Heavy rainfall is also predicted for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Thoothukudi, Villupuram, Ariyalur, and Perambalur districts.

Between Wednesday and Thursday, northern districts including Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, and Vellore are likely to experience very heavy rainfall.

Fishermen Alert And Wind Speeds

Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, is expected to prevail along and off the Tamil Nadu coast, Gulf of Mannar, and Comorin area from October 20 to 24.

The IMD has cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea until October 24, and those already in the Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay have been instructed to return to shore by Tuesday morning.

State Preparedness

Chief Minister M K Stalin reviewed rain preparedness with district collectors of areas anticipating heavy rainfall on Sunday. He confirmed that the state machinery is fully equipped to handle any situation, with the State Disaster Response Force and local bodies on high alert.

Chennai On Watch

In Chennai, where waterlogging has been a persistent concern, the forecast of sustained heavy rain has generated fresh apprehensions. Although the DMK government has expanded the city's stormwater drain network, officials acknowledge that work remains ongoing in certain zones. The upcoming days will likely test the system's effectiveness ahead of peak monsoon conditions.