Northeast monsoon likely to arrive in Tamil Nadu by October 16

The Northeast monsoon is likely to commence over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal region by October 16, marking an early onset nearly four days ahead of its normal arrival date.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has announced that prevailing atmospheric conditions are becoming favourable for the seasonal rains to set in over the region.

The RMC expects simultaneous withdrawal of southwest monsoon from the country and onset of easterly and northeasterly winds over the southern peninsular region in two days. This would herald the arrival of NE monsoon rainfall over the State by October 16. The State may experience fairly widespread rainfall covering up to 75% of the weather stations, and intense downpour may continue over south T.N., delta, and western ghats region till October 20.

An upper air circulation lying over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Indian Equatorial Ocean is likely to move west- northwestwards towards Comorin area, triggering widespread rainfall activity over many parts of the State.

B. Amudha, Head (Additional in-charge), RMC said the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the remaining parts of the country outside south peninsular region is being monitored. It is one of the criteria for onset of the NE monsoon. Once the other favourable conditions are met, the arrival date is declared on the day when the State receives fairly widespread rainfall covering at least 50% of the weather stations.

The RMC has forecast that light to moderate rainfall is likely to continue in some areas of Chennai on Wednesday.