Southwest Monsoon to bring heavy rain across Tamil Nadu from June 28
Synopsis
The Southwest Monsoon is set to intensify sharply over Tamil Nadu from 28 June, with the IMD placing 14 districts — from Nilgiris to Tiruvannamalai — on heavy-rain alert. Squally seas and coastal current warnings add a maritime dimension, while Thammampatty in Salem has already logged the state's highest 24-hour rainfall at 4 cm.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall across more than 14 Tamil Nadu districts from 28 June as the Southwest Monsoon intensifies.
Districts on alert include Nilgiris , Coimbatore , Tiruppur , Theni , Tirunelveli , Kanniyakumari , Vellore , and Kancheepuram , among others.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph expected over the Southwest Bay of Bengal .
Ocean current alerts have been issued for Karaikal and Nagapattinam coastal areas.
Thammampatty in Salem district recorded the highest rainfall in the state in the past 24 hours at 4 cm .
Maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are expected to remain near normal until Sunday .
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu over the coming days, with heavy showers expected in more than a dozen districts from Sunday, 28 June, as the Southwest Monsoon remains active over the region. The forecast, issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, signals a significant intensification of monsoon activity across both coastal and interior parts of the state.
Rain Activity Through the Week
Shifts in westerly wind patterns are expected to trigger moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds across several parts of Tamil Nadu on Thursday. The Western Ghats districts and coastal Tamil Nadu are likely to receive moderate rain at isolated places, with strong winds accompanying the showers.
Southern Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats region, and parts of the northern interior districts are forecast to continue receiving moderate rain with gusty winds over the next two days. Meteorologists noted that prevailing monsoon conditions remain favourable for sustained rainfall activity across large parts of the state.
Districts on Alert from June 28
From Sunday, 28 June, heavy rainfall is expected across several districts, including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Vellore, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvannamalai. Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, as heavy rain could cause waterlogging in low-lying zones and localised disruptions.
Chennai Forecast and Temperature Outlook
For Chennai, the IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies on Thursday, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning likely during the evening and night across parts of the city and its suburbs. Similar conditions are expected to persist over the coming days.
Maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are expected to remain close to normal until Sunday, providing relief from the recent spell of humid conditions.
Fishermen Advisory and Coastal Alerts
The weather department has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea, as squally weather with wind speeds of 40 to 50 kmph is expected over the Southwest Bay of Bengal during the period. Ocean current alerts have been issued for the Karaikal and Nagapattinam coastal areas, and fishing communities have been urged to strictly follow the advisories.
Rainfall Recorded in Past 24 Hours
In the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Thursday, Thammampatty in Salem district recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 4 cm, followed by Veppanthattai in Perambalur district at 3 cm. The data underscores that monsoon rainfall has already begun making its presence felt across multiple districts ahead of the heavier spell forecast from Sunday.
Point of View
But the real test lies in ground-level preparedness — particularly in low-lying urban pockets of Chennai and flood-prone areas of southern Tamil Nadu that have historically suffered disproportionate damage during Southwest Monsoon peaks. The simultaneous maritime advisory for the Bay of Bengal adds pressure on the fishing community, which often faces delayed dissemination of such warnings. With westerly winds strengthening and the monsoon active across the region, authorities would do well to pre-position relief infrastructure rather than wait for waterlogging reports to come in.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tamil Nadu districts are under heavy rain alert from June 28?
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall from 28 June in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Vellore, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvannamalai. Residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert.
What is the weather forecast for Chennai this week?
The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies for Chennai on Thursday, with light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, and lightning likely during the evening and night. Similar conditions are expected to persist over the coming days, with temperatures remaining close to normal until Sunday.
Why have fishermen been asked not to go out to sea?
The IMD has warned of squally weather with wind speeds of 40 to 50 kmph over the Southwest Bay of Bengal. Ocean current alerts have also been issued for the Karaikal and Nagapattinam coasts, making sea conditions unsafe for fishing activity during this period.
Which area recorded the highest rainfall in Tamil Nadu in the last 24 hours?
Thammampatty in Salem district recorded the highest rainfall at 4 cm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Thursday. Veppanthattai in Perambalur district received 3 cm, the second highest in the state during the same period.
How long will the Southwest Monsoon remain active over Tamil Nadu?
According to the IMD, monsoon conditions are favourable for sustained rainfall across large parts of Tamil Nadu through at least Sunday, 28 June, with heavy spells expected particularly from that date onward. The department has not specified an end date for the active monsoon phase.
