Northeast monsoon brings heavy rains to Tamil Nadu and Kerala

Heavy rains driven by the northeast monsoon and developing low pressure systems have battered parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala since mid-October, causing waterlogging, reservoir releases, evacuations and school closures across the two states. The India Meteorological Department and regional forecasters warned that showers and squally winds would continue into the coming days as multiple low pressure areas strengthen over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

The monsoon officially set in over Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions on October 16, and heavy downpours intensified midweek. Chennai and surrounding districts recorded significant rainfall in successive spells, with neighbourhoods such as Ennore, Kathivakkam and Manali reporting more than 80 millimetres in single events. Parts of the Nilgiris and western Tamil Nadu have logged even higher totals, with Kotagiri recording around 137 millimetres on one day. On Tuesday some coastal and delta districts received heavy to very heavy rain, including 149 millimetres in Ramanathapuram and 90 millimetres in Nagapattinam, prompting local authorities to declare school holidays in Chennai, Chengalpattu and other districts.