The Regional Meteorological Centre said a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has further intensified into a well-marked low-pressure system.
Published Oct 21, 2025 | 5:26 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 21, 2025 | 9:40 PM
The low-pressure system is expected to move in a west-northwest direction, strengthening further over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal regions, likely impacting northern Tamil Nadu and Andhra coastal areas by Wednesday afternoon.
Synopsis: Continuous heavy rainfall has already been reported in several coastal districts such as Thoothukudi, and adjoining regions like Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Theni, and the delta districts — Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai. Many low-lying areas have been flooded.
All educational institutions, including professional colleges, will remain closed in Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Puducherry and Kariakal on Wednesday, 22 October, as heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over the next two days in northern coastal Tamil Nadu.
In Chennai, schools will not function on Wednesday.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai said on Tuesday, 21 October, that a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to strengthen over the next two days.
The warning came even as the northeast monsoon continues to intensify across the state. Heavy rainfall along the Western Ghats — in districts such as Theni, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Tiruppur — has disrupted normal life.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has directed all district collectors to take precautionary measures and establish relief camps across Tamil Nadu.
The RMC said on Tuesday, 21 October, that the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has further intensified into a well-marked low-pressure system.
It is expected to move in a west-northwest direction, strengthening further over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal regions, likely impacting northern Tamil Nadu and Andhra coastal areas by Wednesday afternoon.
As a result, heavy rainfall is expected to persist across northern Tamil Nadu’s coastal districts over the next two days.
A red alert has been issued for the districts of Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, and Viluppuram, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall.
Districts including Ariyalur, Perambalur, Kallakurichi, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari are also likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, the RMC stated.
Other parts of Tamil Nadu are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall during this period.
On 22 October, a red alert was also issued for Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Puducherry, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
Districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal are also expected to witness heavy to very heavy rain.
Continuous heavy rainfall has already been reported in several coastal districts such as Thoothukudi, and adjoining regions like Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Theni, and the delta districts — Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai. Many low-lying areas have been flooded.
Thousands of acres of agricultural land, including paddy fields, in the Delta districts are currently submerged under water.
In Theni and Tenkasi, waterfalls are overflowing, prompting authorities to restrict tourist access to the sites.
Meanwhile, districts such as Karur, Erode, Coimbatore and Tiruppur have also received heavy rainfall.
Amid intensifying rains, Chief Minister Stalin convened a video conference with the district collectors of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, and other districts on Tuesday.
He instructed them to take immediate precautionary measures, including setting up relief camps for people in landslide-prone areas, and ensuring availability of food, drinking water, and medical assistance.
As heavy rains continue in the delta districts, Stalin also directed officials to procure paddy without delay so that farmers are not affected. He asked that paddy bags be shifted promptly to warehouses to prevent damage due to rain.
Further, he urged officials to seek immediate approval from the central government to increase the permissible moisture content in paddy from 17% to 22%, facilitating smoother procurement amid wet conditions.
In a post on X, Stalin said that people’s representatives and the entire state machinery must work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of residents affected by the heavy rains.
Additionally, in line with Stalin’s directive, a meeting to issue guidelines on precautionary and relief measures during the ongoing monsoon will be held on Wednesday at Anna Arivalayam, Chennai, chaired by Minister KN Nehru and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
