As the northeast monsoon intensifies in Tamil Nadu, the weather forecast predicts rain across the state this week. Chennai is likely to receive moderate rainfall, while 23 other districts across the state will see rain over the next few days.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for 17 districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, and Tiruchi, until October 23. The Chennai Meteorological Department has also predicted moderate rain with thunder and lightning in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts on Monday.
The sky will be generally cloudy in Chennai and its suburbs on Monday. The maximum temperature in Chennai is likely to be between 32 and 33 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature is likely to be between 24 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, light rain with thunder and lightning is likely in Cuddalore, Kanyakumari, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Thoothukudi, Nellai, Villupuram, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, Tenkasi, Nilgiris, Tiruppur and Virudhunagar.
Heavy to very heavy rain is likely at one or two places in Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore and the Nilgiris districts. Thunderstorms and strong winds gusting to 40 to 50 kmph are expected to accompany the rain.
Heavy rains with thunder and lightning are also likely in Puducherry and Karaikal.
"Rainfall activity is being reported mainly over southern India. Heavy-to-very heavy rainfall was recorded in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, and similar conditions are likely at isolated places over the state during the next three days. An orange alert has been issued in view of the forecast," IMD scientist Akhil Shrivastava said.
Rainfall is likely to continue in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places the entire week. Heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely until Saturday in Kerala and Mahe, as well as in south interior Karnataka. The rain will lash coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema till Thursday.
The Meteorological Department also said that a low-pressure area has formed in the southwest Arabian Sea. The weather phenomenon is showing signs of intensifying, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting it could strengthen into a depression within the next 24 hours.
“The well-marked low-pressure area persisted over the southwest Arabian Sea at 5:30 am IST on October 19, 2026, after moving slowly eastwards,” the IMD said.
A fresh cyclonic circulation is anticipated to form over the Andaman Sea around October 21. Under its influence, the system is projected to concentrate into a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal by October 24.
