Tamil Nadu rains ease heatwave; IMD warns 5 districts of heavy showers
Synopsis
After days of scorching heat, evening showers swept through Chennai, Puducherry, and multiple Tamil Nadu districts on 20 May — but the relief is uneven. Tiruttani still hit 40°C, and the IMD is now warning five western districts of heavy rain over the next two days as a cyclonic circulation off Andhra Pradesh drives the system inland.
Key Takeaways
Widespread rain on 20 May brought relief to Chennai , parts of Tamil Nadu , and Puducherry after days of intense summer heat.
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in five districts — Coimbatore , Nilgiris , Theni , Erode , and Dindigul — over the next two days.
Waterlogging was reported on stretches of the Chennai-Tirupati highway following sudden evening showers.
Tiruttani recorded the highest temperature at approximately 40°C , with elevated heat persisting in Vellore, Madurai Airport, and Tiruchy.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation over south coastal Andhra Pradesh is driving the weather system; Chennai is expected to remain hot and humid.
Widespread rainfall across Chennai, several districts of Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry delivered significant relief on 20 May after days of punishing summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has since issued a heavy rainfall forecast for five districts — Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni, Erode, and Dindigul — over the next two days.
Rain Sweeps Across Chennai and Suburbs
After a sweltering day, evening showers transformed conditions across multiple Chennai neighbourhoods. Areas including Nungambakkam, Kodambakkam, Vadapalani, Koyambedu, and Saidapet received rain, bringing down temperatures and offering relief to residents. Suburban zones such as Kelambakkam, Padur, and Thiruporur were also drenched, catching motorists and evening commuters off guard during peak hours.
Neighbouring Tiruvallur district — including localities such as Thirupachur, Pandur, Kuppammal Chathiram, Siruvanur, and Pullarambakkam — also recorded rainfall. Waterlogging was reported along certain stretches of the Chennai-Tirupati highway following the sudden downpour.
Widespread Impact Across Districts
In Chengalpattu district, rain was recorded across localities including Singaperumal Koil, Maraimalai Nagar, Thiruporur, and Thirukazhukundram. Krishnagiri district saw a sharp weather reversal — areas including Kaveripattinam, Bargur, Allapatti, and Kundarapalli shifted from intense morning heat to cooler evening conditions after rainfall.
Puducherry received widespread rain accompanied by thunder and lightning for nearly half an hour, with showers reported in Lawspet, Muthialpet, Uzhavarkarai, Korimedu, Bahour, Usudu, Mannadipet, and Thirukanur.
Heat Lingers in Parts of the State
Despite the widespread relief, intense heat persisted in several locations. Tiruttani recorded the highest temperature at approximately 40 degrees Celsius. Elevated temperatures were also observed at Chennai Meenambakkam, Nungambakkam, Vellore, Erode, Madurai Airport, and Tiruchy, indicating that the heatwave has not fully retreated from the region.
Weather System Behind the Showers
According to the IMD, an upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas, with a trough extending from the Lakshadweep area to south coastal Andhra Pradesh. This system is expected to trigger heavy rainfall in parts of western Tamil Nadu over the next two days. Chennai itself is likely to see partly cloudy skies with continued hot and humid conditions — meaning full relief for the city remains some way off.
Point of View
The IMD alert for five western districts, driven by a cyclonic circulation off Andhra Pradesh, signals that the transition from heatwave to rain-related disruption can be abrupt and simultaneously damaging. The fact that Tiruttani still touched 40°C on the same day rain fell elsewhere in the state underlines how uneven Tamil Nadu's weather relief actually is — and how quickly the public narrative of 'heatwave over' can outrun the meteorological reality.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which areas in Tamil Nadu received rain on 20 May 2025?
Rain was reported across Chennai neighbourhoods including Nungambakkam, Kodambakkam, and Koyambedu, as well as suburban areas like Kelambakkam and Thiruporur. Chengalpattu, Krishnagiri, Tiruvallur districts and Puducherry also received showers on 20 May.
Which five districts has the IMD warned about heavy rainfall?
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall in Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni, Erode, and Dindigul over the next two days. The warning is linked to an upper-air cyclonic circulation over south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Has the heatwave fully ended in Tamil Nadu?
No. Despite widespread rain, intense heat persisted in several locations on 20 May. Tiruttani recorded approximately 40°C — the state's highest — while Vellore, Madurai Airport, Erode, and Tiruchy also saw elevated temperatures.
What is causing the current rainfall in Tamil Nadu?
According to the IMD, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and a trough extending from the Lakshadweep area are driving the weather system. This is expected to produce heavy rain in western Tamil Nadu over the next two days.
What disruptions did the rain cause?
Waterlogging was reported along certain stretches of the Chennai-Tirupati highway. Commuters and motorists in suburban Chennai were caught in the downpour during peak evening hours, causing travel disruptions.
