Tamil Nadu Rains: IMD Issues Alert for Chennai, Puducherry; Schools Shut Amid Heavy Downpour

Chennai is heading into a largely cloudy and rainy week, with light showers expected on most days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While the overall pattern remains steady, the IMD has flagged two days with heightened weather alerts.

The week is likely to begin with partly cloudy skies and a chance of moderate rain or thunderstorms. Maximum temperatures are expected to edge up to 31–32°C on Monday. From Tuesday to Friday, the city will see mostly cloudy conditions with intermittent light rain. No major warnings have been issued during this period, and weather conditions are expected to remain relatively stable.

However, instability may return toward the weekend. The IMD has warned of rain, thunderstorms or even dust storms on Saturday, issuing a fresh alert for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning.

Minimum Temperatures Rise Across Chennai

Chennai recorded minimum temperatures 1.6°C to 3°C above normal. Warmer nights were reported in districts including Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Salem, Thirupattur and Tiruvallur.
Erode and Madurai airports logged Tamil Nadu’s highest daytime temperature at 32°C, while Karur Paramathi recorded the lowest minimum of 20°C in the plains.

Heavy Rains Shut Schools, Colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal

Continuous rainfall since Saturday led to severe waterlogging in parts of Puducherry and Karaikal, prompting authorities to close all schools and colleges on Monday. Home and Education Minister A. Namassivayam announced the holiday, citing persistent heavy rain.

Southern Tamil Nadu Braces for Intense Rainfall

Heavy rain is expected at isolated locations across several southern and delta districts, including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai, as well as the Karaikal region, the IMD bulletin said.

What’s Driving the Rain Over Tamil Nadu

Multiple weather systems are influencing conditions across the state:

• A low-pressure area near South Andaman Sea has strengthened and may intensify into a depression—and potentially a cyclonic storm. Its west-northwest movement is pushing moisture toward Tamil Nadu, resulting in cloud cover, rain and thunderstorms.

• A circulation near the Comorin region could form a new low-pressure area around November 25, further adding moisture.

• Another system over the Southeast Arabian Sea is contributing to atmospheric instability.

These systems combined are shaping Tamil Nadu’s wet and unsettled weather, with heavier rainfall focused in southern districts, while Chennai continues to see light to moderate showers and thunderstorms.