Tamil Nadu is bracing for another wet spell. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal as a low-pressure area takes shape over the southwest Bay of Bengal, close to the state's coast. A second low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around October 23, and forecasters are watching it closely.
The double system comes as the northeast monsoon gains strength, only days after Chennai saw intense downpours over the weekend.
What the IMD Has Forecast
The orange alert warns of heavy to very heavy rain, between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm, at isolated places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 km/h are also likely. Chennai was among the districts placed under orange alert on Tuesday, while districts such as Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Sivagangai, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari were flagged for heavy rain at isolated places.
A yellow alert, for isolated heavy rain of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm, covers Kerala, Mahe, Andhra Pradesh and south interior Karnataka. Parts of Telangana and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands may also see showers and thunderstorms.
Two Systems, One Watch
The first low-pressure area is forming over the southwest Bay of Bengal under an upper-air cyclonic circulation off the north Tamil Nadu coast, with a trough stretching up to north coastal Andhra Pradesh. This is the system behind the immediate rain.
The second is linked to a circulation moving from the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar towards the north Andaman Sea. A low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around October 23. The IMD has said it could move north-northwestwards and intensify, but it has not forecast a cyclone, and its track and strength will become clearer in later bulletins.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Orange alert | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal (115.6-204.4 mm at isolated places) |
| Yellow alert | Kerala, Mahe, Andhra Pradesh, south interior Karnataka |
| First low | Southwest Bay of Bengal, near Tamil Nadu coast |
| Second low | Southeast Bay of Bengal, around October 23 |
| Winds | 40-50 km/h in Tamil Nadu during thunderstorms |
| North India | Rain, thunderstorms likely in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana around October 24 |
| Himalayas | Rain and snow in J&K, Ladakh, Uttarakhand from October 23 |
North India Also in for a Change
The weather shift is not limited to the south. A western disturbance is expected to bring rain, thunderstorms and snowfall at higher reaches to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand from October 23, with Himachal Pradesh following from October 24. Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan may see rain and thunderstorms around October 24, with winds gusting up to 50 km/h. For Delhi, where air quality has slipped into the poor category after Dussehra, a spell of rain could bring brief relief.
What It Means for Residents
For people in Chennai and coastal Tamil Nadu, the immediate concern is waterlogging, traffic snarls and power cuts in low-lying areas. Residents are advised to avoid open fields, isolated trees and electricity poles during thunderstorms. Farmers have been told to keep field drainage clear, protect harvested crops and hold off on spraying during rain or strong winds.
Fishermen should follow official warnings closely. A separate low over the Arabian Sea is also moving towards the Somali coast, with strong winds over parts of the sea.
Simple Steps to Stay Safe
- Check the IMD and state disaster management updates before travelling.
- Keep phones charged and a torch handy in case of power cuts.
- Avoid driving or walking through flooded underpasses.
- Stay indoors during lightning and keep away from metal poles and trees.
What Happens Next
The next 48 hours will decide how much rain the first system brings to Tamil Nadu. The bigger question is the second low expected around October 23. If it strengthens into a depression and heads north-northwest, it could bring more rain to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh or Odisha later in the week. Updated IMD bulletins after October 23 will give a clearer picture.
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