Is the Northeast Monsoon Ready to Hit TN with Heavy Rain?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The northeast monsoon is expected to bring significant rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
- Areas like the Nilgiris and Coimbatore are on alert for heavy rain.
- Fishermen should avoid going out to sea due to hazardous conditions.
- Residents in hilly areas should remain cautious of landslides.
- Authorities are prepared with disaster response teams in vulnerable locations.
Chennai, Oct 11 (NationPress) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has predicted significant rainfall over the Nilgiris and various western districts of Tamil Nadu this Saturday, as the state prepares for the arrival of the northeast monsoon within a few days.
The latest bulletin indicates that strong convective activity, spurred by a low-pressure system in the Comorin Sea and adjacent Gulf of Mannar, has led to increased cloud formation over the southern and western parts of Tamil Nadu.
Areas including the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, Dharmapuri, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, and Tirupattur are expected to see heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
The weather department has issued a caution for fishermen, advising against venturing into the sea in the southern coastal areas, Gulf of Mannar, and nearby Comorin Sea, where wind speeds could reach between 35 and 45 km/h, and occasionally spike to 55 km/h.
In Chennai and its neighboring areas, partly cloudy skies are anticipated, with moderate rain or thunderstorms possible in some locations during the evening and night.
The maximum temperature is expected to be around 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could range from 25 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Officials have noted that continuous rainfall over the past week in the Nilgiris has saturated hill slopes, raising concerns about minor landslides and road disruptions along critical ghat routes, including Coonoor–Mettupalayam and Gudalur–Nadugani.
District administrations are on alert, with disaster response teams positioned at high-risk areas.
This latest forecast is emerging as the signs strengthen that the northeast monsoon—the primary rainy season for Tamil Nadu—is on the verge of beginning across the southern peninsula.
Meteorologists have remarked that easterly winds are gaining strength over the Bay of Bengal, indicating a shift from the southwest to northeast monsoon conditions.
In recent years, the Nilgiris and other ghat districts like Coimbatore and Dindigul have experienced episodes of intense monsoon rainfall, leading to flash floods, road blockages, and property damage.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid traveling through hilly areas during heavy downpours.