Chennai and several districts of Tamil Nadu are set to experience moderate to heavy rainfall over the next few days, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC). This forecast comes as a welcome respite from the recent scorching heat, with intermittent rains providing much-needed relief to the capital over the past two days. The cyclonic circulation prevailing over the southwest Bay of Bengal is responsible for the current weather pattern.On Wednesday afternoon, numerous areas in Chennai, including Porur, Guindy, Ekkatuthangal, Kodambakkam, Alandur, Tondiarpet, Tiruvottiyur, Egmore, Velachery, and OMR, witnessed light to moderate rainfall. This precipitation has led to mild waterlogging on various interior roads and disrupted the ongoing desilting and construction of stormwater drains in the city.
The RMC has indicated that the sky condition in Chennai is expected to remain cloudy for the next two days, with moderate rain anticipated in certain parts of the city and its suburbs. In addition to Chennai, a yellow warning has been issued for the ghat areas of Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Nilgiris, Erode, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, and Trichy. These districts are likely to experience heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, with speeds reaching between 30 kmph and 40 kmph.
The rest of Tamil Nadu is also expected to receive light to moderate rainfall over the coming days. The state has already recorded 23.6 mm of rainfall, significantly exceeding the average of 10.2 mm, marking an excess of 13.4 percent. The highest rainfall has been recorded in Tiruvarur with 28 mm, followed closely by Trichy at 33 mm.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea due to squally winds expected to prevail along the Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Comorin area, with speeds ranging from 35 kmph to 45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph.