Heavy Rains Lash Southern Tamil Nadu as IMD Warns of Thunderstorms in Chennai

Residents of Chennai are bracing for a week dominated by overcast skies and sporadic downpours, according to forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While the capital may encounter mostly light precipitation, southern districts of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry face more severe conditions, including intense showers that have already triggered school closures.

The IMD predicts partly cloudy conditions in Chennai on Monday, accompanied by chances of moderate rain or thunderstorms. Daytime highs are expected to climb modestly to between 31 and 32 degrees Celsius. From Tuesday through Friday, the pattern shifts to predominantly cloudy weather with occasional light rain, without any immediate high-severity alerts. However, stability could wane by week’s end, with partly cloudy skies potentially giving way to rain, thunderstorms, or dust storms. A specific caution for thunderstorms and lightning has been flagged for Saturday.

Overnight lows in Chennai have edged up above seasonal norms, reaching 1.6 to 3 degrees Celsius higher than average. This mild warmth has extended to other parts of Tamil Nadu, such as Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Salem, Thirupattur, and Tiruvallur. Erode and Madurai airports topped the state’s daytime readings at 32 degrees Celsius, while Karur Paramathi noted the coolest lowland minimum at 20 degrees Celsius.

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In Puducherry and Karaikal, relentless rains since Saturday have caused widespread waterlogging on streets and in neighborhoods, severely impacting routines. Home and Education Minister A Namassivayam confirmed a full holiday for government and private schools and colleges on Monday, as reported by news agency PTI. This measure addresses the flooding risks from the ongoing deluge.

The IMD’s broader advisory highlights heavy downpours at scattered spots across southern and delta districts, including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai, extending to Karaikal.

These disruptions stem from dynamic weather features in the Bay of Bengal and adjacent waters. A low-pressure zone off the South Andaman Sea has intensified into a depression on Monday, poised to evolve into cyclonic storm Senyar soon thereafter. As it tracks west-northwest, it funnels humid air into Tamil Nadu, fueling clouds, showers, and storms in multiple areas. Concurrently, a circulation near the Comorin area is set to spawn another low-pressure system around November 25, boosting moisture levels statewide. A separate disturbance in the Southeast Arabian Sea further heightens the region’s volatility, with southern zones bearing the brunt of fiercer rains and Chennai seeing milder but persistent activity.