The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Chennai has issued a red alert for the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. This alert comes as a new low-pressure area, which formed over the central-east and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal on October 23, is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 26. According to the weather bureau, the system is projected to move in a north-westerly direction and make landfall between northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha.
In addition to the red alert, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall for Coimbatore, Nilgiris, and Theni districts, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. A wide range of other districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Madurai, and Erode, are also expected to experience heavy rainfall with gusty winds. Most other parts of the state are likely to receive moderate rainfall.
For October 25, the forecast indicates heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Perambalur, Ariyalur, and Tiruchirappalli. Numerous other districts, including Chennai and its suburbs, are expected to see heavy rainfall on that day as well.
Regarding the capital, the IMD stated that Chennai and its surrounding areas will remain partly cloudy, with moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms expected in some parts of the city. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, particularly in the south Tamil Nadu coastal areas, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Comorin area, where squally winds are expected to reach speeds of 35 to 45 kmph, occasionally gusting up to 55 kmph.
The weather department also noted that a low-pressure area previously over the Comorin Sea and adjoining Kerala has shifted towards the south-east Arabian Sea and the Lakshadweep region. A trough currently extends from this cyclonic circulation to the northern Tamil Nadu coast via Kerala.
In the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. yesterday, significant rainfall was recorded across the state. Sattur in Virudhunagar district received the highest rainfall at 16 cm, followed by Chinnakamanpatti at 14 cm and Samuthirapatti in Dindigul district at 13 cm. Several other locations, including Kuppanatham, Virudhachalam, Kallikudi, and Kodavasal, recorded 11 cm of rainfall.
