Northeast Monsoon Set to Begin in Tamil Nadu with Orange Alert for Four Districts

Chennai, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : The Northeast monsoon is anticipated to commence in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of heavy rainfall for 15 districts and very heavy rainfall for four specific districts.

According to forecasts from the Chennai weather center, the districts of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, and Virudhunagar are likely to experience significant rainfall. An orange alert has been issued for these areas in anticipation of the seasonal rains.

The IMD also forecasts heavy rainfall in several other districts, including Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Kallakurichi, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Tiruppur, and Dindigul.

In addition to heavy rain, the weather center predicts moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds in various regions of Tamil Nadu. The onset of the Northeast monsoon is expected to bring widespread rainfall across the state. The forecast suggests that the extent of heavy rain may expand to more districts by Friday.

On Friday, heavy rainfall is expected in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Ramanathapuram, and Sivagangai. Furthermore, districts such as Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur may also see heavy rain on the same day. Chennai and its neighboring districts could also experience significant rainfall.

The department has issued warnings for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Cuddalore, and Mayiladuthurai. In total, 29 districts have been identified where heavy rainfall is likely on Friday. This is an increase from the forecast for Thursday, which predicted very heavy rain in four districts and heavy rain in 15.

According to the warning, the rainfall is expected to spread further the following day, affecting western districts, the southern belt, the Cauvery delta, and northern coastal areas, including the state capital.

The orange alert for Thursday primarily concerns the districts of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, and Virudhunagar, while forecasts for other districts indicate varying intensities of heavy and moderate rainfall.

The two-day forecast from the meteorological center warns of continuous rainfall in several districts, including Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni, Virudhunagar, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari, as well as parts of Delta and northern Tamil Nadu.

For Chennai, heavy rainfall is expected on Friday, following the issuance of the heaviest rain warnings for the four other districts on Thursday.