Tamil Nadu Weather Alert: Surprise Downpour Gives Relief To Chennaites, More Rains Expected Tonight

A sudden downpour overnight inundated the city and its outskirts, causing flight disruptions and toppling trees on Tuesday.

Airport officials reported numerous delays in both international and domestic arrivals and departures due to the inclement weather. Notably, services to and from Dubai, Delhi, and Pune were particularly affected.

While inconveniencing travelers, the rains offered a welcome relief to residents from the oppressive heat.

Chennai Airport with heavy gust winds, thunderstorms and lightnings at 3.30am😲😲 This looks brutal !! @ChennaiRains @chennaiweather @praddy06 pic.twitter.com/ITsOYH5Ym0

— சின்ன காக்கா முட்டை (@SelvaSRT) June 18, 2024

Looking ahead, both today and tomorrow could witness thunderstorms in many areas across North Tamil Nadu before the monsoon gradually gains momentum. There's a strong likelihood of intense storms and heavy rainfall around midnight, particularly in and around Chennai and its suburbs, a weather blogger who gives update on his X page called Chennai Rains said.

Following last night's downpour, the IMD Observatory at Chennai Airport recorded a total rainfall of 200 mm for the month of June. This marks the second consecutive year of reaching the 200 mm mark in June and the third consecutive year of experiencing rainfall exceeding 150 mm during this month.

Very heavy rain with wind gusts and thunder light in iyyappanthangal at 1.25am today #iyyappanthangal #TNRains #SWM2024 #thunderstorm @ChennaiRains @saran_2016 @praddy06 @Evkwf_18 @RainStorm_TN @kalyanasundarsv @MasRainman pic.twitter.com/bikjZM7vrc

— S Vijayarajan (@SVijayarajan9) June 17, 2024

The rain poured heavily in areas like Mangadu, Poonamalle, Tambaram, and southern Chennai. Wind gusts reached speeds of 55 to 65 km/hr, leading to power outages in areas without underground cables.

Wow!! Intense spell of heavy rain lashing Ponamallee area in #Chennai currently. Feels like a typical monsoon day.

⁦@NewIndianXpress⁩ ⁦@praddy06⁩ ⁦@ChennaiRains⁩ pic.twitter.com/Q7y3ePeDJQ

— S V Krishna Chaitanya (@Krish_TNIE) June 17, 2024

In other parts of Chennai, rainfall was also significant, albeit slightly lighter compared to the southern areas. North Chennai experienced relatively less rainfall compared to the southern regions.