The Northeast monsoon has officially kicked off in Tamil Nadu, sending heavy showers across the state on Thursday. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, several districts were hit with intense rain, and many more are expected to see heavy downpours as the storm system strengthens over the Bay of Bengal.
Key hotspots this week
- Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram are under orange alerts for very heavy rain in isolated pockets.
- Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Sivaganga, Dindigul, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Erode are forecast to receive heavy rainfall.
- Chennai, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai may see moderate to heavy showers as the clouds move northward.
The rain is getting stronger, and experts warn that low‑lying areas could face severe waterlogging and traffic jams if the heavy downpours continue overnight.
Impact in major districts
In Tirunelveli, three days of relentless rain have left parts of the city submerged. The Chellapandian flyover at Washermanpet was flooded, blocking traffic for hours. Municipal crews are busy pumping out standing water from main roads and homes. Persistent rain in the Western Ghats has also caused the Nambiyar River to overflow, drowning nearby paddy fields.
Because of the flooding, district collectors in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi announced one‑day school holidays. Collector Sukumar said the decision was made after heavy overnight rain made commuting unsafe for students.
Ramanathapuram district remains on high alert as rain continues to batter both coastal and inland areas. Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore due to strong winds and rough seas along the coast.
What to expect in the coming days
Disaster‑management teams have posted in vulnerable zones, urging residents to stay cautious. Intermittent heavy spells are likely to continue as the Northeast monsoon rolls in, potentially causing more flooding, traffic delays and road closures. Keep an eye on local weather updates and follow any instructions from authorities, especially if you live in low‑lying or flood‑prone areas.
Source: ianslive
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