Chennai rain alert: Showers to continue until October 24

Chennai and several other parts of Tamil Nadu are likely to experience more spells of heavy rain as the northeast monsoon remains active across the state. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a yellow alert for Chennai from October 19 to 21, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph.

The latest forecast indicates heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Coimbatore, the Nilgiris and Theni on Sunday night. Heavy rain is also expected in districts including Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai.

The weakening of a cyclonic circulation over the west-central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast has reduced the likelihood of very heavy rainfall over Chennai in the next 24 hours. As a result, the red alert issued for Sunday has been downgraded to yellow.

However, rain activity is expected to continue on Monday, with heavy to very heavy showers forecast in Chennai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore and the Nilgiris. On October 20, isolated locations in Theni, Tirunelveli and Madurai may also receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, while several other parts of the state remain under a heavy-rain warning. The current spell is expected to persist until October 24.

According to the meteorological department, rainfall was recorded at most places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. Parrys in Chennai recorded the highest rainfall, receiving 363.4 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday.

The current weather conditions are being influenced by an upper-air cyclonic circulation that has remained nearly stationary over the Chennai region. With more rain forecast following the exceptional downpour, neighbourhoods prone to waterlogging could face further difficulties.