Tamil Nadu Weather Alert: Nearly 70 Locations Record Double-Digit Rainfall; Red Alert In Chennai, KTCC Region

Nearly 70 locations across Tamil Nadu on Tuesday recorded significant rainfall, with several areas witnessing double-digit rainfall in centimeters, according to data from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

Cholavaram in Tiruvallur district recorded the highest rainfall at 30 cm, followed by Red Hills in the same district with 28 cm. Avadi in Tiruvallur district received 25 cm, Zone 01 Kathivakkam in Chennai saw 23 cm, and Zone 02 D15 Manali in Chennai registered 21 cm.

The RMC issued a statement explaining the weather conditions: "Yesterday's depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward and was centered at 0830 IST today, October 16, 2024, over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal near latitude 12.3° N and longitude 83.0° E, approximately 320 km east-southeast of Chennai, 350 km east-northeast of Puducherry, and 400 km southeast of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. It is expected to continue moving west-northwestward and is likely to cross the northern Tamil Nadu-Southern Andhra Pradesh coast between Puducherry and Nellore, near Chennai, in the early hours of October 17."

Despite the heavy rainfall, Palayamkottai recorded the highest maximum temperature of 32.4°C, while Erode experienced the lowest minimum temperature at 17.4°C.

The KTCC region (Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu), along with other parts of Tamil Nadu, has been severely impacted by heavy rains. The sky over Chennai is expected to remain generally cloudy, with isolated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. The temperature is likely to hover around 26-27°C, as per the RMC.

A red alert has been issued for the KTCC region today, while Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, and Puducherry are under a orange alert. Heavy rainfall is also expected in districts such as Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Thanjavur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, as well as the Karaikal region.

A red alert signifies imminent severe weather conditions that could disrupt transportation and power supply, posing risks to life. On the other hand, an orange alert indicates extremely adverse weather conditions affecting transportation by rail, road, and air. A yellow alert indicates adverse weather conditions with the potential to worsen, potentially leading to disruptions in daily life.

Chennai weather interpreter R. Pradeep John (PJ) provided insight into the upcoming days, stating, "For the KTCC region (Chennai), normal monsoon rains will continue with sharp, intense spells here and there, which won't significantly impact daily life."

He also noted that the depression, which is expected to weaken later today, will continue to influence weather in KTCC, northern Tamil Nadu, and northern interior areas until October 18. "So, normal monsoon rains on and off for Chennai and surrounding areas, with other northern districts also likely to receive some rainfall," he added.