IMD Extends Heavy Rain Alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as New Low-Pressure Systems Form

NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has extended a heavy rainfall alert for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal for an additional four days. The weather conditions follow a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal that moved closer to the coast.

According to the IMD, isolated very heavy rainfall ranging between 11 to 20 cm is predicted over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. Similar weather conditions are expected over Kerala and Mahe, as well as the Lakshadweep Islands over the coming days. South Interior Karnataka is also likely to experience isolated very heavy rainfall of 7 to 11 cm.

Chennai experienced overcast skies and rain, with conditions expected to persist and potentially bring thunderstorms later in the evening. Bengaluru anticipates a largely calm day followed by thunderstorms by early evening.

At the same time, a second low-pressure system is brewing over the North Andaman Sea. The IMD expects this circulation to move west-north-westward and develop into a low-pressure area over the adjoining south-east and east-central Bay of Bengal. Numerical weather models suggest the system could eventually move towards the Odisha and West Bengal coasts, influenced by a western disturbance moving across north-west India.

Externally, weather activity has also impacted the broader region, with Taiwan issuing a land warning and cancelling over 100 flights ahead of Typhoon Champi. The storm, which reached Category 4 intensity, passed near the northern Philippines and is expected to skirt north-eastern Taiwan.

"Adverse weather conditions and prolonged heavy rainfall across key southern regions like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry can cause temporary disruptions in local supply chains, logistics, and daily business operations. For enterprises operating in these areas, maintaining business continuity and robust disaster management protocols is essential to mitigate potential economic setbacks during seasonal weather anomalies." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes