Chennai Braces for Cloudy Week With Light Showers; Heavy Rain in South TN
IMD warns of continued rain in Tamil Nadu as schools shut and multiple systems intensify regional weather.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for Chennai and Puducherry as a strengthening low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal brings intermittent showers and thunderstorms to southern Tamil Nadu through the week of November 24, 2025. Chennai is forecast to experience predominantly cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall, starting with partly cloudy conditions and possible thunderstorms on Monday, when maximum temperatures could reach 31-32 degrees Celsius. The IMD has flagged a higher risk of thunderstorms with lightning on Saturday, amid a broader pattern of unstable weather influenced by multiple atmospheric systems.
In Puducherry and the nearby Karaikal region, heavier downpours since Saturday have already caused waterlogging on key roads and residential areas, prompting authorities to declare a holiday for all government and private schools and colleges on Monday. Home and Education Minister A. Namassivayam confirmed the closure to ensure student safety amid the continuous rain. The IMD's bulletin warns of intense rainfall at isolated spots in districts including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai, as well as Karaikal, with potential for disruptions to daily life.
Chennai's minimum temperatures have risen 1.6 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal, contributing to warmer nights across Tamil Nadu, including in Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Salem, Thirupattur, and Tiruvallur. Daytime highs hit 32 degrees Celsius at Erode and Madurai airports, while Karur Paramathi's plains recorded the lowest minimum at 20 degrees Celsius. These temperature fluctuations, combined with persistent cloud cover, have heightened discomfort in urban areas, even as light showers provide temporary relief from the mild autumn heat.
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The weather is driven by a trio of systems: a low-pressure area near the South Andaman Sea, expected to intensify into a depression on Monday and possibly a cyclonic storm soon after, moving west-northwest and funneling moisture toward Tamil Nadu. A second circulation near the Comorin area may form another low-pressure system around November 25, while a third over the Southeast Arabian Sea adds to the regional instability. This convergence is channeling enhanced rainfall activity, particularly in the southern and delta districts, where historical precedents like Cyclonic Storm Fengal in late 2024 have led to similar flooding alerts.
Residents in affected areas are advised to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid waterlogged zones, and monitor IMD updates for escalation risks. The department has not issued evacuation orders yet but emphasizes preparedness for heavier spells, especially in low-lying coastal regions. This seasonal vulnerability underscores Tamil Nadu's exposure to Bay of Bengal cyclones, which form frequently between October and December due to warm sea surface temperatures and monsoon withdrawal patterns.
As the week progresses, Chennai's forecast holds steady with cloudy conditions and occasional rain until Friday, offering a brief respite before weekend thunderstorms. In contrast, Puducherry's ongoing deluge highlights the uneven intensity across the state, with southern locales bearing the brunt. Authorities are deploying pumps to clear floodwaters, while farmers in delta districts monitor potential benefits for winter crops alongside flood threats, reflecting the dual-edged impact of these monsoon-like rains in an otherwise dry season.
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