Tamil Nadu Weather: 8 Districts On Yellow Alert, Chennai Likely To Get Moderate Rains

The Regional Meteorological Centre has sounded a yellow alert for eight districts across Tamil Nadu as the state braces for intense rainfall over the coming days.

The Ghat regions of Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore and Ranipet districts are expected to receive significant rainfall on Thursday. The weather system is predicted to intensify on Friday, with heavy downpours forecast for Coimbatore's Ghat areas, Nilgiris, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Salem districts and Puducherry.

The wet spell will continue into Saturday, particularly affecting Villupuram, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Kallakurichi and Tiruvannamalai districts along with Puducherry. Meanwhile, Chennai is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in some areas over the next two days.

Temperature extremes were recorded across the state, with Madurai Airport registering the highest maximum temperature of 39.0°C, while Karur Paramathi reported the lowest minimum temperature of 19.5°C in the plains.

Extended Rainfall Forecast:

Friday: Heavy rains are expected in the Ghat regions of Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Salem, and Puducherry.

Saturday: Villupuram, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, and Puducherry may experience intense showers.

Meteorologists attribute the current weather pattern to multiple atmospheric systems. An upper air cyclonic circulation persists over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the north Tamil Nadu coast, currently positioned 3.1 km above mean sea level. Additionally, an east-west trough runs along latitude 12°N from the southern parts of East-central Arabian Sea to central parts of South Bay of Bengal, influencing weather conditions across the region.

The recent surge in thunderstorm activity has significantly improved Tamil Nadu's seasonal rainfall figures, turning an 11% deficit into a 3% surplus. The last five days alone have contributed nearly 30 mm to the seasonal rainfall total. However, northern coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, has largely missed these showers, with both Chennai Airport and Nungambakkam observatories recording less than 5 mm of rainfall during this period.

Authorities have advised residents in affected districts to remain vigilant as the weather system develops. The Meteorological Department will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates as required.