Chennai

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has warned of heavy rain in 15 districts of Tamil Nadu until November 2. The districts expected to be impacted include Dindigul, Madurai, Tiruchi, Karur, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai, and Ariyalur. On Thursday, moderate to heavy rain is also forecast for Puducherry and Karaikal.

This rainfall is attributed to weather systems over the Gulf of Mannar and a downward atmospheric flow affecting southern Andhra Pradesh. Since the Northeast Monsoon began on October 17, Tamil Nadu has already seen significant rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates normal to above-normal rainfall for northern Tamil Nadu and normal rainfall for the south, though many southern districts have already experienced heavy showers.

For the October to December season, the IMD expects above-normal rainfall across the south peninsular region, projecting that Tamil Nadu will receive about 112% of the average of 33.4 cm. In response to the heavy rains, the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has issued a flood alert for 15 villages along the Thenpennai River due to the release of 1,000 cusecs of water per second from the Sathanur Dam. Residents are advised to move to safer areas, and authorities are prepared for emergencies.