Chennai Faces Heavy Rain As Northeast Monsoon Arrives Early

On Wednesday, Chennai and surrounding districts in Tamil Nadu are experiencing heavy rainfall for the second consecutive day, signaling the early onset of the northeast monsoon.

Areas including Anna Nagar West, Kolathur, Pammal, and Perambur reported significant flooding, with knee-deep water inundating residential neighborhoods.

Traffic disruptions have spread widely, particularly in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts, where relentless downpours have worsened congestion.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai issued a statement, predicting that a depression currently forming in the southwest Bay of Bengal will move west-northwest and make landfall between Puducherry and Nellore, close to Chennai, during the early morning hours of 17 October.

The RMC has also warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across 12 districts in northern Tamil Nadu and the delta region.

The weather forecast indicates that rain will shift toward other northern districts, including Ranipet and Vellore, by Thursday.

Local authorities are also bracing for continued heavy rainfall in Chennai and its neighboring areas.

Winds are likely to intensify, reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h over the southwest and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal, heightening the risk of further disruptions.

Tamil Nadu On High Alert As SDRF & NDRF Mobilize For Heavy Rain Emergencies

In response to the adverse weather conditions, the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are on high alert, with teams positioned in 26 locations across Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur.

The Tamil Nadu government however has also prepared 219 boats for deployment to assist with rain-related emergencies in the city and other affected areas.

Notably, the monsoon’s arrival is occurring five days earlier than the expected onset date of 20 October, which typically varies by nine days before or after the forecasted date.

The RMC has reported that a well-marked low-pressure area has intensified into a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, currently located approximately 490 km southeast of Chennai.

The system is projected to cross the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts soon, further impacting local weather conditions.

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