The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of southern India over the coming days, with Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal likely to experience intense spells of rain until October 26. Kerala and Mahe are also expected to receive heavy rainfall during the same period. In its weather bulletin issued on October 20, the IMD said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu coast within the next 24 hours. The system could bring widespread rainfall to parts of southern India from October 21 onwards. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Lakshadweep from October 22 to 26, while South Interior Karnataka may receive heavy rain between October 21 and 24. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema are also likely to experience heavy rainfall on October 21.
Chennai weather today: Rain likely as low-pressure area develops
Chennai and adjoining coastal areas of Tamil Nadu may experience unsettled weather as a low-pressure area is expected to develop over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu coast by October 21.
The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from October 21 to 22, followed by isolated to scattered rainfall from October 23 to 26. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are also likely over the region on October 21.
The department has warned of isolated very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal between October 21 and 22, with isolated heavy rainfall likely to continue from October 23 to 26.
Residents should monitor district-level weather warnings issued by the IMD for updates on rainfall intensity and local conditions.
Chennai school holiday update
Following heavy overnight rainfall, schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts have been declared closed on Wednesday, October 21, according to local media reports. The respective district administrations announced the holiday in view of the heavy rain. The IMD has forecast continued rainfall over Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas in the coming days.
Kerala, Karnataka likely to receive heavy rainfall
Kerala and Mahe are likely to receive heavy rainfall from October 21 to 26, according to the IMD. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is forecast over the region during this period.
Lakshadweep is also expected to experience widespread rainfall until October 26, with isolated heavy spells likely between October 22 and 26. Gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph, are likely over Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep during October 21-24.
In Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka is likely to receive heavy rainfall from October 21 to 24. Coastal Karnataka may also experience isolated heavy rainfall on October 24, while thunderstorms and lightning are forecast over Coastal and South Interior Karnataka during October 21-24.
North Interior Karnataka may receive isolated to scattered rainfall between October 22 and 25, with thunderstorms and lightning likely on October 22 and 23.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other states: IMD rain forecast
Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema are likely to experience isolated to scattered rainfall from October 21 to 26. Heavy rainfall is forecast in isolated places on October 21, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in parts of the region.
Telangana may receive isolated to scattered rainfall on October 21, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds also likely.
In central India, West Madhya Pradesh is likely to experience isolated to scattered rainfall on October 21-23, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. East Madhya Pradesh may receive rainfall and thunderstorms on October 21.
The IMD has also forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from October 21 to 26. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely until October 24, while thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected to become more likely between October 23 and 26.
Parts of Konkan, Goa and Madhya Maharashtra may experience isolated to scattered rainfall until October 23, while Marathwada may receive rainfall on October 21. Odisha is likely to receive isolated rainfall on October 26.
North India weather: Rain forecast for Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan
The IMD has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad from October 23 to 25. Himachal Pradesh may receive rainfall on October 24 and 25, while Uttarakhand is likely to experience rainfall between October 23 and 26.
Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab may receive isolated to scattered rainfall on October 24 and 25. West Rajasthan is likely to receive rainfall on October 24, while East Rajasthan may experience rainfall on October 24 following a forecast spell on October 21.
Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph, are likely over West Rajasthan on October 24 and East Rajasthan on October 21.
Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea weather systems and fishermen warning
The IMD said a well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Arabian Sea persisted over the same region on the morning of October 20. The system could intensify marginally into a depression over the next 24 hours before moving initially west-northwestwards and then south-westwards towards the Somalia coast over the following two to three days.
Separately, a cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Thailand and neighbouring areas is expected to move into the north Andaman Sea by the morning of October 21. Under its influence, another low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around October 23 and may intensify further as it moves north-westwards.
The IMD has issued a fishermen warning for parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution over the southwest Arabian Sea and adjoining sea areas from October 21 onwards, with warnings also covering areas along and off the Kerala and Karnataka coasts and the Lakshadweep region during October 22-24.
A warning has also been issued for the Andaman Sea from October 23 to 25.