IMD forecasts heavy rain in 19 Tamil Nadu districts on Monday
Synopsis
After weeks of punishing summer heat, Tamil Nadu is in the grip of a pre-monsoon surge — with the RMC flagging heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms across 19 districts on Monday. The trigger is a dual weather system over the Arabian Sea and Kerala coast, and the relief may last through Tuesday.
Key Takeaways
The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai has forecast heavy rainfall in 19 Tamil Nadu districts on Monday, 26 May 2025 .
An upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and a low-pressure system near Kerala are driving the activity.
Districts under alert include Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Salem, Erode, Madurai , and others through Tuesday.
Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur saw hailstorms and waterlogging on Sunday; Dharmapuri reported near-zero visibility during heavy rain.
Chennai can expect light evening rain with winds between 40 and 50 kmph .
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has forecast heavy rainfall across 19 districts of Tamil Nadu on Monday, 26 May 2025, with widespread showers, strong winds, and thunderstorms expected to continue through Tuesday. The alert comes as atmospheric conditions remain primed for sustained rainfall activity following weeks of intense summer heat across the state.
Weather System Behind the Rains
According to the weather department, the trigger is a combination of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining regions, along with a low-pressure system influencing Kerala and nearby southeastern areas. Together, these systems are sustaining favourable conditions for continued precipitation across Tamil Nadu's interior and coastal districts.
Sunday's Widespread Rainfall
Several districts recorded heavy rain on Sunday ahead of the fresh forecast. In Namakkal district, areas including Rasipuram and Tiruchengode received heavy rain with strong winds. Residents of Erode district, which had been under severe heat stress for days, welcomed the sudden spell of thunderstorms that brought temperatures down noticeably.
Rainfall was also reported from Poiyyathanallur, Rayamburam, Senthurai, and parts of Ariyalur district. In Dharmapuri district, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, thunder, and lightning disrupted normal movement, with motorists reportedly forced to drive with headlights on due to poor visibility. Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur district witnessed heavy winds and hailstorms, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Krishnagiri district and surrounding localities — including Kaveripattinam, Bargur, Allapatti, Kundarapalli, Veppanahalli, and Melumalai — also received heavy rainfall. In Sivaganga district, Singampunari and its surrounding regions recorded heavy showers lasting more than an hour.
Districts Under Alert for Monday and Tuesday
Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds is forecast for Monday and Tuesday in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, and Dindigul districts. The forecast also covers Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Tiruchy, Namakkal, Karur, and Madurai.
Chennai Forecast
For Chennai, the RMC has predicted light rain during evening or night hours on Monday. Strong winds with speeds ranging between 40 and 50 kmph are also expected in some areas of the city, according to the forecast.
With the pre-monsoon weather system still active, residents across affected districts are advised to remain cautious, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Authorities are expected to monitor the situation through Tuesday as conditions evolve.
Point of View
Not just relief. Districts like Dharmapuri and Vaniyambadi saw near-zero visibility and hailstorms on Sunday — conditions that strain road safety and power infrastructure. The RMC's dual-system explanation (Arabian Sea circulation plus Kerala low-pressure) suggests this is not a one-day event, and Tuesday's continuation forecast deserves as much attention as Monday's headlines. Local administrations in low-lying coastal and interior districts should be on standby, not just on watch.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tamil Nadu districts are under heavy rain alert on 26 May 2025?
The RMC Chennai has flagged 19 districts including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Tiruchy, Namakkal, Karur, and Madurai for heavy rainfall on Monday.
What is causing the heavy rain in Tamil Nadu?
The rain is driven by an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and a low-pressure system affecting Kerala and nearby southeastern areas, creating sustained favourable conditions for widespread precipitation.
Will Chennai receive heavy rain on 26 May?
Chennai is forecast to receive only light rain during evening or night hours on Monday. However, strong winds with speeds between 40 and 50 kmph are also expected in some parts of the city.
How long is the rain expected to continue in Tamil Nadu?
The weather department has forecast heavy rainfall with strong winds for both Monday and Tuesday in several districts, suggesting the current weather system will remain active for at least two days.
What disruptions were reported during Sunday's rain in Tamil Nadu?
In Dharmapuri, heavy rain and lightning reduced visibility so severely that motorists had to drive with headlights on. Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur district experienced hailstorms and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
