The RMC has forecast that Chennai may receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: Akhila Easwaran
A low pressure area, which has formed off the Sri Lankan coast, is set to usher in a fresh spell of intense monsoon downpour over many parts of the State from Sunday. While heavy rainfall is expected to initially cover the delta districts, the intense rain will spread to the coastal belt and adjoining districts from Monday.
Chennai and its neighbouring districts too are likely to receive a spell of heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has issued an orange alert for four districts, including Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, and Karaikal area, indicating the probability of very heavy rainfall up to 12-20 cm on Sunday. Five other districts, such as Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai, are likely to receive heavy rainfall.
Friday’s upper air cyclonic circulation, which developed into a low pressure area over southwest Bay of Bengal off Sri Lanka coast on Saturday, is expected to revive Northeast monsoon rainfall, which had slipped into a dull phase.
The RMC has forecast that Chennai may receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas on Sunday.
The State has received nearly 26 cm of rainfall against its average seasonal rainfall of 28 cm since October 1. The monsoon, which is likely to intensify, is expected to boost the rainfall figures. On Monday, many places over the coastal region and isolated pockets in interior Tamil Nadu are likely to receive light to moderate rain. An orange alert has been issued to six districts, including Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli.
Heavy rainfall is expected to lash nine districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Thanjavur, and Karaikal area on Monday. Intense rain may continue over eight northern districts, including Chennai and Villupuram, and Puducherry on Tuesday. The RMC has forecast that heavy rainfall will be restricted to the Nilgiris and ghat areas of Coimbatore on November 19 and scattered rainfall will continue over the State till November 21.
The State’s rainfall prospects look promising in the second fortnight of November as another low pressure area is likely to form over Bay of Bengal around November 21, says India Meteorological Department’s extended range weather outlook.
B. Amudha, Head (Additional in-charge), RMC, said the weather system was being monitored for further intensification. “Various atmospheric factors, including winds over the oceans, are analysed to predict intensification of weather systems and atmospheric dynamics keep changing. Cloud band movement will determine the areas that will receive heavy rainfall,” she said.
Published – November 15, 2025 10:33 pm IST
