Intense rainfall, driven by two active weather systems, is expected to continue over Western Ghats districts of Tamil Nadu till July 22. Heavy rainfall may also cover some northern districts on Saturday, offering temporary relief from the heat.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has issued orange alert for Nilgiris and Ghat areas of Coimbatore till July 20, with heavy downpour up to 24. 4 cm is possible in isolated places. While light to moderate rainfall is expected to cover up to 50% of weather stations across the State till July 22, districts including Theni and Tenkasi, are likely to get heavy rainfall till Monday.
A yellow alert has been issued for parts of north TN, including Tiruvallur and Vellore, with heavy rainfall up to 13 cm on Saturday.
Officials of the RMC said the active Southwest monsoon conditions would influence an increase in rainfall over the State and Puducherry for a week.
B.Amudha, Head (additional in-charge), RMC, Chennai, said an upper air circulation over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and an east-west trough near Chennai latitude would trigger rainfall. Intense downpour in Kerala would spill over into the adjoining western ghats region.
The intensity of rainfall in north TN districts would vary depending on the position of the weather systems. In coastal belt, prevailing westerlies when interacting with sea breeze triggered convective activity and thunderstorms during afternoon and evening hours. The wet weather is likely to influence a drop in maximum temperature in a few pockets of TN and Puducherry, she said.
However, interior parts like Madurai and Karur may have to endure scorching heat as the impact of weather systems may not penetrate. On Friday, Madurai and Thanjavur recorded a day temperature of 39 degree Celsius, which was the hottest temperature recorded in TN for the day. Chennai, however, recorded a cooler day with maximum temperature remaining slightly below normal of 34 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall continued in places, including Coimbatore, Valparai, Krishnagiri and Erode on Friday. The RMC has forecast light to moderate rainfall to continue in Chennai on Saturday and the maximum temperature will be around 35-36 degree Celsius.
Published – July 19, 2025 01:10 am IST
