The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds in parts of Tamil Nadu on Thursday and Friday, with moderate showers expected across several other districts over the next few days.
According to the weather department, heavy rainfall is likely in Coimbatore, Theni and Tirunelveli districts, as well as the hilly areas of the Nilgiris, on Thursday and Friday. The wet spell has been attributed to a weak atmospheric circulation prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over the coastal areas of northern Tamil Nadu.
The system is expected to enhance rainfall activity, particularly over the Western Ghats and adjoining districts. The IMD has warned that the affected districts could experience spells of heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds, especially in hilly and ghat regions, and advised residents and travellers in vulnerable areas to remain alert.
The rainfall activity is expected to persist into the weekend. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Theni, Tenkasi and Tirunelveli districts on Saturday.
Moderate rainfall is forecast to continue until Sunday across several districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet and Vellore. Similar weather conditions are also expected in Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Tiruchirappalli, Karur and Madurai districts during the period.
Elsewhere in the state, light rainfall is likely at isolated places as moisture-laden winds and favourable local atmospheric conditions support scattered showers.
In Chennai, the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy, with moderate rainfall likely in some parts of the city during the evening or night on Thursday. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 36 degrees Celsius.
The IMD said maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to remain close to normal for this time of the year. Rainfall activity is expected to remain concentrated mainly over the Western Ghats and parts of northern and interior Tamil Nadu during the next few days, with isolated showers elsewhere.