The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy rain across 11 districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with the Nilgiris and Coimbatore expected to remain on alert until 22 September. The weather office has attributed the anticipated rainfall to a trough extending from Maharashtra to the southeast Arabian Sea, which is driving widespread precipitation across the state.

Districts Under Heavy Rain Alert

Isolated heavy rain accompanied by strong winds is forecast for Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Ranipet, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore, Kallakurichi, and Madurai districts today. The weather office has placed Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Madurai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, and Vellore under a separate heavy-rain alert for Sunday, 20 September. Moderate rainfall has also been forecast for districts along the Western Ghats and several other parts of the state.

Chennai and Surrounding Areas

Chennai and its neighbouring districts — Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu — are expected to experience intermittent showers through the day. Similar weather conditions have been forecast for Cuddalore, Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, and Thoothukudi. Cloudy conditions are expected to prevail across much of the state, with thunderstorms likely to develop during the afternoon and evening hours.

Advisories for Residents and Farmers

Residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert as intense spells could trigger waterlogging and traffic disruption. Motorists have been cautioned to exercise care during heavy spells owing to reduced visibility and road inundation risks. Farmers have been urged to take precautionary steps to protect harvested crops and agricultural produce stored in the open. The public has also been advised to avoid sheltering under trees during thunderstorms.

What to Expect Next

Rainfall intensity is expected to vary by locality, with short but intense spells possible in some pockets. The weather office has warned that another bout of heavy rain is likely to affect several districts on 20 September. District administrations have been put on standby to monitor rainfall levels and respond to any localised flooding or weather-related emergencies. The situation across the Nilgiris and Coimbatore corridors warrants particular attention given the extended four-day alert period through 22 September.