IMD forecasts heavy rain in Coimbatore, Nilgiris; TN temperatures 4°C above normal
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu faces a rare dual weather stress: the IMD has flagged heavy rain and thunderstorms for five hill districts including Coimbatore and the Nilgiris, while simultaneously warning that temperatures across the state could run 4°C above normal. The combination of heat and humidity in the plains, alongside landslide risk in the Ghats, puts both hill and coastal residents on alert through Friday.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Coimbatore and the Nilgiris for the next three days from 30 July .
Heavy rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected in Coimbatore , Tirunelveli , Nilgiris , Theni , and Kanniyakumari on Thursday and Friday.
Maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may be up to 4 degrees Celsius above normal on Wednesday and Thursday.
Residents in hill areas have been warned of risks including landslides , waterlogging , and falling trees .
The IMD attributes the weather to a weak low-pressure circulation along the Tamil Nadu coast at lower atmospheric levels.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over the hill regions of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris across the next three days, driven by a weak low-pressure circulation at lower atmospheric levels along the Tamil Nadu coast. The warning, issued on 30 July, comes alongside an alert that daytime temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may run up to 4 degrees Celsius above normal on Wednesday and Thursday — an unusual combination of wet and hot that forecasters say could make conditions particularly uncomfortable.
Rainfall Forecast by District
According to the IMD's official weather bulletin, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated locations in the hilly areas of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris on Thursday. Moderate rain is expected at one or two locations across the Western Ghats districts and the northern coastal belt of Tamil Nadu during the same period.
The wet spell is expected to persist through Friday. On both Thursday and Friday, isolated heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is anticipated in the hilly regions of Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Nilgiris, Theni, and Kanniyakumari districts. Authorities have been asked to closely monitor the evolving situation, particularly across the Western Ghats, where intense rainfall could disrupt transport and daily life.
Above-Normal Temperatures Despite Rainfall
The IMD has cautioned that despite the rain activity, maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to remain up to 4 degrees Celsius above normal on Wednesday and Thursday. The concurrent heat and high humidity — especially in coastal and inland plains — are expected to produce uncomfortable conditions for residents.
The weather department noted that the prevailing atmospheric conditions are also offering some relief to regions that have endured prolonged dry spells in recent weeks, with intermittent rain activity expected to continue across parts of the state.
Precautions Advised for Residents
The IMD has urged residents in hill districts to remain alert, particularly in areas vulnerable to landslides, waterlogging, and falling trees during periods of intense rainfall and strong winds. Simultaneously, the public has been advised to take precautions against heat exposure, given the above-normal temperature outlook for the coastal and inland plains.
The dual advisory — covering both heavy rain hazards and heat stress — reflects the unusual atmospheric configuration currently over Tamil Nadu, where a coastal low-pressure system is generating localised wet conditions without significantly cooling the broader region.
Atmospheric Trigger and Broader Context
The IMD attributes the current spell to a weak low-pressure circulation along the Tamil Nadu coast at lower atmospheric levels. This is not an uncommon weather feature during the southwest monsoon season, but the simultaneous persistence of above-normal temperatures underscores the uneven distribution of monsoon activity across the state this year.
With the Western Ghats districts on alert and temperature warnings in place for the plains, authorities are expected to maintain heightened vigilance over the coming days as the situation develops.
Point of View
Above-normal heat in the plains — exposes a structural vulnerability in Tamil Nadu's weather response framework. Landslide-prone districts like the Nilgiris have historically suffered disproportionate damage during concentrated Western Ghats rainfall, yet early-warning dissemination to village-level residents remains inconsistent. The 4°C above-normal temperature forecast alongside monsoon activity is also a reminder that climate variability is complicating the traditional wet-season relief narrative — rain no longer automatically means cooler conditions across the state.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in Tamil Nadu are under heavy rain alert?
The IMD has placed Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, Theni, and Kanniyakumari districts under a heavy rain and thunderstorm alert for Thursday and Friday. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in the broader Western Ghats region and along Tamil Nadu's northern coastal belt.
Why are temperatures above normal despite the rain forecast?
The IMD has warned that maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may remain up to 4 degrees Celsius above normal on Wednesday and Thursday, even as rainfall is expected in hill districts. The low-pressure system is generating localised wet conditions without significantly cooling the broader plains region, resulting in high humidity and heat stress simultaneously.
What is causing the heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu?
The IMD attributes the current spell to a weak low-pressure circulation at lower atmospheric levels along the Tamil Nadu coast. This feature is directing moisture towards the Western Ghats, triggering heavy and isolated rainfall in the hill districts.
What precautions has the IMD advised for residents?
The IMD has advised hill district residents to remain cautious in areas prone to landslides, waterlogging, and falling trees. For coastal and inland plain residents, precautions against heat exposure are recommended given the above-normal temperature forecast. Authorities are expected to monitor the Western Ghats situation closely.
How long will the wet spell last in Tamil Nadu?
According to the IMD bulletin, the wet spell is forecast to continue for at least three days from 30 July, with heavy rain and thunderstorm activity expected through Friday in the identified hill districts.
