Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, May 24: A developing atmospheric circulation over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining central regions is set to bring widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu over the next several days, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has said.
The weather system is expected to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in multiple districts, prompting authorities to issue cautionary advisories for vulnerable and low-lying areas.
According to the RMC, heavy rain is likely on Saturday in 10 districts — Nilgiris, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi and Namakkal.
Meteorologists said rainfall activity is likely to strengthen further in the coming days due to favourable atmospheric conditions. Districts expected to receive heavy to very heavy showers include Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Tiruchy, Namakkal, Karur, Dindigul, Theni and Madurai.
The department added that a similar weather pattern is expected to continue the following day, with intense rain likely in several parts of the state.
Residents living in flood-prone and hilly regions have been advised to remain alert, as persistent rainfall could result in waterlogging, traffic disruption and localised flooding.
The weather office further stated that on May 26, isolated heavy rainfall is expected in the hill areas of Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts, as well as in Nilgiris, Theni, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts.
Despite the widespread rain forecast, the RMC noted that there is unlikely to be any major change in maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with temperatures expected to stay near normal levels.
For Chennai, the forecast indicates partly cloudy skies with chances of light to moderate rain during evening or nighttime hours. Intermittent showers and cloud cover are expected to provide relatively comfortable weather conditions in the city.
Officials have urged the public to closely follow weather bulletins and take necessary safety precautions, especially in areas vulnerable to landslides and water accumulation.