Southwest monsoon advances in Tamil Nadu; heavy rain alert for Western Ghats districts
Synopsis
The southwest monsoon is tightening its grip over Tamil Nadu, with the RMC issuing heavy to very heavy rain warnings for the Western Ghats belt — including Nilgiris, Theni, and Dindigul — even as Chennai bakes at 40.4°C. Nalumukku in Tirunelveli has already logged 17 cm in 24 hours, signalling the monsoon's intensifying southern advance.
Key Takeaways
The RMC has issued a heavy to very heavy rainfall warning with thunderstorms and winds of 40–50 kmph for parts of Tamil Nadu .
Nilgiris , Theni , Dindigul , and ghat areas of Coimbatore face the highest rainfall intensity risk, including possible localised flooding and landslides.
11 additional districts — including Erode, Salem, Madurai, and Kanyakumari — are under a heavy rain with thunderstorm alert.
Chennai recorded the state's highest maximum temperature at 40.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, with sultry coastal conditions expected to persist.
Nalumukku (Tirunelveli) logged the highest 24-hour rainfall in the state at 17 cm ; Mylar (Kanyakumari) received 9 cm .
The southwest monsoon is advancing steadily over Tamil Nadu, with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) forecasting widespread rainfall across several districts over the coming days, particularly along the Western Ghats. The weather office has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph, for multiple districts in the state.
Districts Under Heavy Rain Warning
The most intense rainfall is anticipated over the Nilgiris, Theni, and Dindigul districts, as well as the ghat areas of Coimbatore district, where isolated pockets could see very heavy downpours. Meteorologists have flagged the risk of localised flooding, landslides, and disruptions in vulnerable hill areas as monsoon conditions strengthen across the region.
Additionally, the RMC has forecast heavy rainfall with thunderstorms at isolated locations in Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruppur, Madurai, Virudhunagar, and Kanyakumari districts. The ghat regions of Tenkasi and Tirunelveli are also expected to see similar conditions.
Precautions Advised by Officials
Authorities have urged residents in hilly and low-lying areas to remain on high alert, especially in districts forecast to receive intense rainfall. Strong winds and lightning associated with the thunderstorms could disrupt normal activities across several parts of the state.
This comes amid a broader pattern of monsoon-related alerts that have become an annual concern for the Western Ghats belt, where steep terrain amplifies rainfall intensity and raises landslide risk — a concern that has repeatedly tested disaster response in districts like the Nilgiris.
Coastal Tamil Nadu Faces Sultry Conditions
While rain-bearing clouds are expected to dominate western and southern Tamil Nadu, the northern coastal belt is likely to experience persistently uncomfortable weather. High daytime temperatures combined with elevated humidity are forecast to keep conditions oppressive across several coastal districts.
Chennai continued to bear the brunt of the heat, recording the highest maximum temperature in the state at 40.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday — a stark contrast to the relief being felt further south and west. The combination of heat and humidity is expected to persist despite the monsoon's gradual approach.
Rainfall Already Intensifying in South Tamil Nadu
Rainfall activity has already picked up significantly in parts of southern Tamil Nadu, signalling the strengthening grip of the southwest monsoon. Nalumukku in Tirunelveli district recorded the highest rainfall in the state over the past 24 hours at 17 cm, while Mylar in Kanyakumari district received 9 cm during the same period.
As the monsoon consolidates its hold over the region, authorities and residents alike are advised to stay updated on RMC advisories in the days ahead.
Point of View
Yet district-level preparedness — particularly for landslides in the Nilgiris — remains inconsistently resourced year after year. The simultaneous heat emergency in Chennai and flood risk in the Ghats illustrates how a single weather system can stress two entirely different crisis-response frameworks at once. What is missing from the official advisory is any specific guidance on early evacuation protocols for the Nilgiris, a district with a documented history of monsoon-triggered disasters. The 17 cm recorded at Nalumukku in a single 24-hour window is an early indicator that this season's onset may be sharper than average — a detail that warrants more than a generalised vigilance advisory.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tamil Nadu districts are under heavy rain warning due to the southwest monsoon?
The RMC has issued a heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for Nilgiris, Theni, Dindigul, and the ghat areas of Coimbatore district. An additional 11 districts — including Erode, Salem, Madurai, Virudhunagar, and Kanyakumari — are under a heavy rain with thunderstorm alert.
What is the current status of the southwest monsoon over Tamil Nadu?
As of 7 June, conditions have become increasingly favourable for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon over Tamil Nadu, according to the RMC. Rainfall has already intensified in southern districts, with Nalumukku in Tirunelveli logging 17 cm in 24 hours.
Why is Chennai still experiencing intense heat despite the monsoon advancing?
Chennai is located on the northern coastal belt, which is expected to remain outside the immediate monsoon influence for now. The city recorded 40.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday — the state's highest — and high humidity is expected to keep conditions sultry even as the monsoon strengthens in the south and west.
What risks are associated with the monsoon advance in the Western Ghats?
Meteorologists have warned of localised flooding, landslides, and disruptions in vulnerable hill areas, particularly in the Nilgiris, Theni, and Dindigul districts. Gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph and lightning associated with thunderstorms could also disrupt normal activities.
What precautions have officials issued ahead of the heavy rainfall?
Officials have advised residents in hilly and low-lying areas to remain vigilant, particularly in districts forecast to receive intense rainfall. Residents are urged to stay updated on RMC advisories as monsoon conditions are expected to strengthen further over the coming days.
