Orange Alert in Chennai as IMD Predicts Heavy Rain from Cyclonic System
IMD retains orange alert for north coastal districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has retained the orange alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday. The alert remains in place despite the cyclonic circulation over the southeast Bay of Bengal expected to intensify and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada by Tuesday night.
Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, and Chennai are likely to experience heavy rainfall at isolated locations on Monday, with Villupuram and Chengalpattu also under watch for significant precipitation. On Tuesday, Tiruvallur will continue to receive heavy rain, while isolated places in Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tenkasi, Kanniyakumari, and the ghat areas of Tirunelveli are expected to record rainfall activity.
Weather analyst Pradeep John stated that Monday offers a high probability of rain in Chennai, with Pulicat, Gummidipoondi, and Ponneri likely to be affected first. The IMD evening bulletin on Sunday indicated light to moderate rain at isolated places over Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tirupattur, and Villupuram, with moderate rain possible in Ranipet, Tiruvallur, and Vellore.
Also Read: Cyclone Montha Brewing Over Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu Coast on High Alert
Although the cyclonic system will make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, its outer rain bands will influence north coastal Tamil Nadu through Tuesday and Wednesday. Weather bloggers have noted that November rainfall totals in Chennai and surrounding areas are not projected to reach flood-inducing levels seen in previous years.
Authorities have placed NDRF teams on standby in vulnerable districts. Traffic and municipal officials are monitoring low-lying areas in north Chennai, Ambattur, and Red Hills for potential waterlogging. Schools and colleges in affected districts will announce decisions on operations by early Monday morning based on updated IMD forecasts.
Also Read: Cyclone Montha: IMD Warns of Landfall Near Kakinada on October 28
