Tamil Nadu on high alert as northeast monsoon intensifies, bringing heavy rains; cyclone risk looms over Bay of Bengal

Authorities have activated rescue and relief measures across vulnerable coastal regions, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Mayiladuthurai districts tomorrow.

A red alert- indicating rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours- has been issued for eight districts, including Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, and Ramanathapuram.

Schools and colleges in four districts will remain closed as a precaution. Chennai remains under an orange alert, denoting very heavy rainfall between 11 and 20 cm.

Neighbouring Puducherry has also swung into action, preparing for possible rescue and relief operations while declaring a holiday for educational institutions on Wednesday.

Cyclone possibility over Bay of Bengal

According to B. Amudha, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai, a low-pressure area has formed approximately 400 km off the Chennai coast, which could intensify into a depression and potentially develop into a cyclone.

“By noon tomorrow, the system may strengthen into a depression near the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh,” Amudha said, adding that confirmation of cyclone formation depends on how drastically the system evolves.

The IMD bulletin noted that the deep low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea since October 20 has persisted with the same intensity.

Heavy rainfall and water management

Chennai recorded an average of 60 mm of rainfall on Tuesday, with Medavakkam witnessing up to 100 mm, Amudha said.

Between October 1 and 21, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal regions received 160 mm of rainfall, marking a 59% increase above the seasonal average.

To prevent urban flooding, authorities have begun releasing 100 cusecs of water from the Chembarambakkam reservoir in Kanchipuram district. Meanwhile, Ranipet and Vellore reported heavy downpours, which are expected to intensify further.

In Vellore, residents expressed concern over sewage mixing with rainwater, while parts of Tiruvarur district, including Alagiri Colony, experienced localized flooding.

Fishermen warned

The RMC has issued a strong advisory for fishermen, warning them not to venture into the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, or South Andaman Sea between October 23 and 26, as squally winds reaching up to 65 kmph are expected.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparedness across districts, emphasizing coordinated efforts between disaster management teams, local authorities, and emergency response units.

With weather conditions likely to worsen, residents in low-lying and coastal regions are urged to remain vigilant and follow updates from official weather advisories.