Monsoon gains strength in Tamil Nadu; heavy rainfall will last until October 26

Vellore received light rain on Thursday (October 22, 2026). Tamil Nadu’s dismal rainfall picture is brightening with active monsoon bringing much-needed rainfall to various areas. This October, the state received 13.3 cm of rainfall, which is almost 23% above the normal share of 10.8 cm. | Photo credit: C. Venkatachalapathy

Northeast Monsoon continues to gain strength, a low pressure area persists over Comorin and adjoining South Tamil Nadu keeping Southern, Interior and Western Ghats districts on alert for heavy rain till October 26.

The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) has issued orange and yellow warnings warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts until October 26. Chennai is likely to witness isolated spells of heavy rain till Saturday, with the intensity of rains expected to increase from October 25 onwards.

Tamil Nadu’s dismal rainfall picture is gradually clearing up with the active monsoon bringing much-needed rainfall to various areas. This October, the state received 13.3 cm of rainfall, which is almost 23% above the normal share of 10.8 cm.

15 cm in Ezhudesam

Rain clouds will hang over the state as the prevailing weather system is expected to trigger rain at most places. Ezhudesam in Kanniyakumari district received a very heavy 15 cm rainfall in the last 24 hours ending on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 8:30 AM. Several other weather stations including Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thiruvarur received heavy rainfall.

The RMC has warned that three districts – Kanniyakumari, Nilgiris and Coimbatore – are likely to experience isolated very heavy rainfall on Friday (October 23) with gusty winds of up to 50 kmph. A total of 26 districts in the south, interior and Western Ghats region have been put on yellow alert due to heavy rains. Most other places would also see light rainfall.

An active monsoon phase would maintain the rainfall momentum till 26 October. On Thursday (October 22), several places including Kodaikanal, Ariyalur, Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Karur and Salem experienced light rain till 6 pm.

Warning from the Central Water Commission

In its advisory, the Central Water Commission warned that the water level could rise in rivers including Moyar, Bhavani, Noyyal, Aliyar, Siruvani, Paralayar, Pazhayar, Kodaiyar and other waterways in Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Kanniyakumari till October 24, Manimutunchani tributaries may also rise. and Papanasam reservoirs.

VR Durai, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said north Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, could experience showers on Sunday and Monday (October 25 and 26) as the weather system weakens and moves overland. Prospects for continued rain over the state next week depend on a low pressure area expected to develop over southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal on Friday (October 23). While it is likely to intensify further, the rainfall that will persist over Tamil Nadu after October 26 depends on its movement and intensity, he said.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 21:21 IST