A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay has set off widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue heavy rain warnings for multiple districts over the coming days. The system is also expected to accelerate the arrival of the southwest monsoon, with forecasters projecting its onset nearly five days ahead of the usual 20 May schedule.

District-wise Rain Forecast

According to the IMD, heavy rainfall is likely on Saturday in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Theni districts. By Sunday, the belt is expected to shift westward, with Dindigul, Theni, Coimbatore, and the Nilgiris bracing for heavy showers. The department has additionally forecast cloudy skies and moderate rainfall over parts of Chennai for the next two days.

Early Monsoon Onset on the Cards

The IMD has stated that the southwest monsoon is expected to commence over parts of the Andaman Sea, the south Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands within the next 24 hours. Meteorologists note that while the monsoon typically arrives around 20 May, this year's onset could come as early as 15 May — a significant deviation that signals an energised weather system over the Bay.

Casualties and Damage Reported on Friday

Widespread rains across Tamil Nadu on Friday brought relief from summer heat but also resulted in casualties and property damage. At Cuddalore Silver Beach, three youths reportedly taking selfies during the rain were struck by lightning. One of them, Hariharan, a native of Puthupalayam, died in the incident, while the other two were hospitalised.

In Sithamur, Chengalpattu district, a coconut tree uprooted by the storm fell on a house, killing a woman identified as Kanniyammal. Separately, at Appanaickenpalayam near Thudiyalur in Coimbatore, a century-old neem tree was uprooted, damaging houses, vehicles, and electricity poles.

Widespread Impact Across Districts

Heavy rain lashed Nagapattinam district — including Velipalayam, Puthur, Velankanni, Thirupoondi, Kilvelur, Thirukkuvalai, Valivalam, and Thevoor — for more than 20 minutes. Showers were also reported from Panruti, Neyveli, Vadalur, and Kurinjipadi in Cuddalore district.

In Theni district, rain continued for more than an hour across Veerapandi, Vayalpatti, Sathirappatti, Koduvalarpatti, Muthuthevanpatti, and Bodinayakanur. Farmers in parts of Tenkasi district, including Vasudevanallur, Sivagiri, Thenmalai, and Thirumalapuram, welcomed the downpours, expressing hope for improved agricultural activity in the weeks ahead.

What to Watch

With the deep depression still active and the monsoon's early arrival imminent, authorities are monitoring low-lying coastal areas and river catchments for flooding risk. The IMD is expected to update district-level warnings as the system evolves over the next 48 hours.