Tamil Nadu heavy rain alert: 16 districts on watch as Southwest Monsoon approaches
Synopsis
The Southwest Monsoon is days away from Kerala, and Tamil Nadu is already bracing for impact — 16 districts face heavy rain, thunderstorms, and 40–50 kmph winds from 31 May, with intensity expected to peak between 2 and 4 June. A marine warning is also in force, keeping fishermen off the Tamil Nadu coast and Gulf of Mannar through 4 June.
Key Takeaways
The RMC Chennai has forecast heavy rain across Tamil Nadu over the next five days from 31 May .
16 districts — including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, and Vellore — are on heavy rain alert with thunderstorms and winds of 40–50 kmph .
The Southwest Monsoon is expected to advance into Kerala within 3–4 days , driven by a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea.
Rainfall is forecast to intensify between 2 June and 4 June in western Tamil Nadu districts.
A marine warning is in effect from 31 May to 4 June ; fishermen advised not to venture into the Gulf of Mannar, Comorin Sea, and adjoining waters.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has forecast widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu over the next five days, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected in at least 16 districts as atmospheric conditions grow increasingly favourable for the onset of the Southwest Monsoon. The warning was issued on 31 May, with the monsoon expected to advance into Kerala within the next three to four days.
Districts Under Heavy Rain Alert
The RMC has warned of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph across 16 districts on Monday. The affected districts include Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, and Tiruvannamalai. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is also anticipated at isolated locations across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
What Is Driving the Monsoon Advance
According to the weather department, a cyclonic circulation prevailing over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining south Kerala at an altitude of 3.1 km to 5.8 km above sea level is providing the necessary atmospheric push for the monsoon's northward advance. Similar conditions are expected to persist on 1 June and 2 June, with heavy rain concentrated in the western and northern districts of Tamil Nadu.
Rainfall Forecast Through Early June
From 2 June to 4 June, rainfall activity is expected to intensify further across parts of western Tamil Nadu, with the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, and Tiruvannamalai districts likely to bear the brunt. Hilly areas of Tirunelveli, along with Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts, are also forecast to receive heavy showers during this period.
On 4 June specifically, heavy rain is expected over the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Dindigul, Theni, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari districts. Rainfall activity is expected to ease slightly on 5 June and 6 June, though light to moderate showers may continue across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
Marine Warning Issued for Coastal Waters
The RMC has also issued a marine warning covering the period from 31 May to 4 June. Strong winds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are forecast over the Tamil Nadu coast, Gulf of Mannar, and Comorin Sea. Rough sea conditions are also anticipated over parts of the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and adjoining Arabian Sea regions. Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution and avoid venturing into the affected sea areas during this period.
With the Southwest Monsoon poised to make landfall in Kerala within days, Tamil Nadu is set for a sustained wet spell — residents and authorities in vulnerable districts should remain on alert through the first week of June.
Point of View
Which has direct implications for kharif sowing schedules across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. What the forecast doesn't yet address is urban flood preparedness in cities like Chennai and Coimbatore, where drainage infrastructure has repeatedly struggled during intense pre-monsoon spells. The marine warning covering the Gulf of Mannar and Comorin Sea is particularly consequential for the large fishing communities along the southern coast, who face compounding economic loss when back-to-back warnings keep boats ashore during peak season.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in Tamil Nadu are under heavy rain alert on 31 May?
The RMC Chennai has placed 16 districts under heavy rain alert, including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, and Tiruvannamalai. Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are also expected in these areas.
When will the Southwest Monsoon reach Kerala?
According to the weather department, the Southwest Monsoon is expected to advance into Kerala within the next three to four days from 31 May. A cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea is aiding its northward progress.
How long will heavy rain continue in Tamil Nadu?
Heavy rainfall is forecast to persist through 4 June, with intensity peaking between 2 June and 4 June in western districts including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and Theni. Rainfall is expected to ease slightly on 5 and 6 June, though light to moderate showers will continue.
Is there a warning for fishermen in Tamil Nadu?
Yes, the RMC has issued a marine warning valid from 31 May to 4 June. Strong winds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are forecast over the Tamil Nadu coast, Gulf of Mannar, and Comorin Sea. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these sea areas during the warning period.
Which additional areas beyond the 16 districts are affected?
Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is expected at isolated places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. Hilly areas of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, and Virudhunagar districts are also forecast to receive heavy showers between 2 and 4 June.
