Heavy rainfall is set to persist across Tamil Nadu for several more days, as the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a yellow alert for 17 districts. The alert specifically covers northern and interior parts of the state, where weather officials anticipate the active phase of the northeast monsoon will continue to bring significant downpours through October 23. This extended spell of wet weather is expected to provide much-needed relief to various water-stressed delta and interior districts across the region.
The current weather pattern is being driven by an upper air cyclonic circulation situated over north Tamil Nadu and the adjoining coast of Andhra Pradesh. This system has been instrumental in sustaining the intense rainfall experienced by many parts of the state over recent days. Data recorded in the 24 hours leading up to Saturday morning showed that nearly 84 weather stations across the state reported heavy rainfall, with Uthiramerur in Kancheepuram district recording the highest at 15 cm.
In Chennai, the city witnessed its first major downpour of the current northeast monsoon on Saturday evening. Significant rainfall was recorded in several areas, including 12 cm in Kargil Nagar and Tiruvottiyur, while other locations such as Tondiarpet and Kathivakkam received 9 cm each. According to the Greater Chennai Corporation, other areas including Manali and Basin Bridge recorded 7 cm of rainfall. The RMC has indicated that Chennai and its neighboring districts should brace for continued intense rainfall during October 18 and 19.
The sustained precipitation over the past two days has had a positive impact on the state’s moisture levels. Meteorologists noted that the recent heavy spells have effectively reduced the state’s monthly rainfall deficit to 3%, placing it within the normal category for this time of year. V.R. Durai, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre at the RMC, confirmed that the rainfall is likely to remain steady across various interior and delta districts for the coming days.
While northern and interior regions are the primary focus of the current yellow alert, specific areas along the Western Ghats are also expected to see heightened activity. Districts including the Nilgiris and Theni could face isolated, very heavy rainfall of up to 20.4 cm on October 20. These conditions are expected to persist until October 23, providing a sustained period of wet weather that remains crucial for water resources in the region.
Looking ahead, the RMC anticipates that the intensity of the rainfall in Tamil Nadu will begin to decrease after October 25. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area is expected to form over the southwest Arabian Sea around Monday, although current projections suggest this system is unlikely to contribute significant additional rainfall to Tamil Nadu. Looking further into the future, officials are monitoring a new weather system that may potentially develop over the Bay of Bengal during the final week of October.
As the state continues to manage the effects of the active monsoon, local authorities and residents in the districts under the yellow alert are encouraged to stay updated with official forecasts. The combination of persistent rain and the reduction in the overall deficit marks a notable shift in the state's weather trajectory for the month of October.
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