The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday that the Northeast Monsoon is in full force over Tamil Nadu, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in certain districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and Kanchipuram. Over the past 24 hours, several areas in the state have already experienced significant rainfall, with five locations recording extremely heavy rains, 48 recording very heavy rains, and 21 reporting heavy rainfall.
S Balachandran, Director of the Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre, confirmed that the recorded rainfall for Tamil Nadu since October 1 has reached 138 mm. A depression is currently moving towards the northwest, with expectations that it will cross the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Nellore and Puducherry, near Chennai.
The IMD warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours, with isolated places possibly experiencing extremely heavy downpours. However, the rainfall will not affect the entire region uniformly. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea due to the squally weather, with wind speeds reaching up to 60 kmph along the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
The heavy rainfall has already caused waterlogging in several parts of Chennai, with residential areas and roads submerged. The IMD has forecast more rain over the next two days, further intensifying the monsoon’s impact. Additionally, neighboring states like Karnataka are also being affected, with the first Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru delayed due to continuous rain.
As the depression approaches the coast, residents and authorities are preparing for potentially severe weather conditions.