The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for eight districts in Tamil Nadu as the northeast monsoon intensifies, bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across the state.
Chennai, meanwhile, remains under an orange alert, with residents waking up to yet another day of intense showers, thunder, and lightning.
Cyclone May Form Over Bay of Bengal, Says IMD
According to the latest IMD bulletin, a low-pressure system over the South Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression by Wednesday afternoon.
The system is expected to move west-northwestwards toward the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, raising the possibility of a cyclone formation in the coming days.
“Heavy to very heavy rain is likely over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, and coastal districts as the system strengthens,”
the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said.
Red Alert: Districts on High Risk
The IMD has placed eight districts under a red alert — the highest level of weather warning — indicating extremely heavy rainfall (20 cm or more).
| Alert Level | Districts | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Red Alert | Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram | Extremely heavy rain, risk of flooding |
| 🟠 Orange Alert | Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai | Heavy to very heavy rain, possible urban flooding |
Officials have warned that rainfall intensity could remain very high till Friday, with wind speeds touching 50–60 km/h along the coast.
Schools, Colleges Closed Across Coastal Districts
With waterlogging reported in several areas, authorities have closed all schools and colleges in Chennai, while Puducherry and Karaikal have declared a holiday for educational institutions.
District administrations in Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Tiruvallur have issued similar orders as a precaution.
“All emergency services are on alert. Pumps and rescue boats have been deployed in flood-prone zones,”
said a senior Chennai Corporation official.
Marina Beach Sees Rough Waves, Coastal Patrols Intensified
Chennai’s Marina Beach, along with Ennore and Mamallapuram, witnessed rough sea conditions on Wednesday morning.
Strong winds battered the coast as the northeast monsoon gained momentum. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, while coastal patrol teams are monitoring the situation.
At a Glance: Tamil Nadu Weather Today
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| System | Low-pressure over South Bay of Bengal |
| Stage | Likely to intensify into a depression |
| Alert for Chennai | 🟠 Orange Alert (Heavy to very heavy rain) |
| Red Alert Districts | 8 coastal districts |
| Wind Speed | 40–60 km/h gusts |
| Sea Condition | Rough to very rough |
| Schools/Colleges | Closed in Chennai, Puducherry & several districts |
| IMD Outlook | Cyclone development possible by Thursday |
IMD Forecast for the Week
- Oct 22–23: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across north coastal Tamil Nadu & Puducherry
- Oct 24: Rain may continue but with reduced intensity
- Oct 25: Gradual improvement as system moves inland
