IMD forecasts rain, thunderstorms in Tamil Nadu on 24 August; fishermen warned
Synopsis
A feeble coastal trough and a fresh Bay of Bengal low-pressure system are combining to bring thunderstorms and 40-50 kmph gusts to Tamil Nadu on 24 August, with Chennai and nine other districts on alert. Fishermen off the West Bengal, Odisha, and north Andhra Pradesh coasts face rough seas until Monday — a reminder of how quickly multi-system weather events can complicate coastal safety across India's eastern seaboard.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has forecast rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph across several Tamil Nadu districts on 24 August .
Affected districts include Chennai , Chengalpattu , Tiruvallur , Kancheepuram , Vellore , Cuddalore , and others, plus Puducherry .
A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the northwestern Bay of Bengal , bringing rough seas off West Bengal , Odisha , and north Andhra Pradesh coasts until 25 August .
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along the affected coasts; those at sea are urged to return to safety.
The Bay of Bengal low-pressure system is not expected to directly impact Tamil Nadu at this stage, the IMD said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds across several districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, 24 August, even as a fresh low-pressure area has formed over the northwestern Bay of Bengal. The warning covers coastal, northern, and Western Ghats districts, with residents and fishermen urged to exercise caution.
Districts Under Weather Alert
The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai has identified a feeble trough in the lower atmospheric levels off the Tamil Nadu coast as the primary driver of the forecast rainfall. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph accompanied by thunderstorms are likely at one or two places in the Western Ghats districts.
Similar conditions have been forecast for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore, as well as the neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry. Light rain with thunderstorms is also expected at isolated places in the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and the Karaikal region.
Safety Advisory for Residents
The IMD has advised residents to remain alert during thunderstorms and to avoid sheltering under trees or near structurally weak buildings. Sudden spells of rain and strong winds could temporarily disrupt traffic and affect outdoor activities across affected areas, according to the weather department.
Low-Pressure Area in Bay of Bengal
The IMD confirmed the formation of a fresh low-pressure area over the northwestern Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, rough sea conditions are expected to prevail along the coasts of West Bengal, Odisha, and northern Andhra Pradesh until Monday, 25 August.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal, Odisha, and north Andhra Pradesh coasts during this period. Those already at sea have been asked to return to safer areas in accordance with local advisories. Weather officials clarified that the newly formed low-pressure system is unlikely to have any direct impact on Tamil Nadu at this stage.
What to Watch
The IMD is continuing to monitor both the coastal trough and the Bay of Bengal low-pressure system. Further advisories will be issued if there is any significant change in the intensity or movement of either weather system. Residents in coastal and northern Tamil Nadu districts should stay updated with local bulletins through the day.
Point of View
Not the Bay system, a distinction that matters for public messaging but is easily lost in aggregated warnings. Fishermen advisories for three eastern coastal states until Monday underscore how low-pressure formations in the northwestern Bay of Bengal routinely create cascading risk even when their direct landfall threat remains low. The IMD's commitment to issuing updated advisories as conditions evolve is the right posture — the gap, as always, is last-mile reach to fishing communities.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in Tamil Nadu are under a rain and thunderstorm alert on 24 August?
The IMD has forecast rain and thunderstorms for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore, as well as Puducherry. Western Ghats districts may also see gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.
What is causing the rain forecast in Tamil Nadu?
The rainfall is primarily driven by a feeble trough in the lower atmospheric levels off the Tamil Nadu coast, combined with local weather conditions. The newly formed low-pressure area over the northwestern Bay of Bengal is a separate system and is not expected to directly impact Tamil Nadu.
Why have fishermen been warned, and which coasts are affected?
A fresh low-pressure area over the northwestern Bay of Bengal is expected to cause rough sea conditions along the West Bengal, Odisha, and north Andhra Pradesh coasts until Monday, 25 August. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these waters, and those already at sea have been asked to return to safety.
What safety precautions has the IMD advised for Tamil Nadu residents?
Residents have been advised to remain cautious during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees, and stay away from structurally weak buildings. Sudden rain spells and strong winds may temporarily disrupt traffic and outdoor activities.
Will the Bay of Bengal low-pressure area intensify and affect Tamil Nadu?
As of the current forecast, weather officials say the low-pressure system over the northwestern Bay of Bengal is unlikely to have any direct impact on Tamil Nadu. The IMD is monitoring both systems and will issue further advisories if there is a significant change in intensity or movement.
