Tamil Nadu is bracing for extremely heavy rainfall as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal intensifies into a depression, threatening to unleash widespread downpours across coastal and northern districts over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore, warning of intense spells and possible flooding.
Even before the heaviest showers have arrived, parts of southern and delta regions are already experiencing the impact of continuous rainfall. In Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur, large paddy fields have been submerged, sparking deep concern among farmers. “The submerged paddy will sprout if the rain doesn’t stop. It will be a major loss for us,” said a farmer from Nagapattinam, reflecting the widespread anxiety in the agrarian belt.
The situation is particularly severe in Tuticorin and Tiruvarur, where water has entered homes in low-lying areas, forcing residents to wade through knee-deep water. According to reports, Cuddalore recorded the highest rainfall at 174 mm, followed by 147 mm in Puducherry and 86.4 mm in Chennai’s Nungambakkam within just 21 hours till early Tuesday morning. Schools and colleges have been shut in 13 districts and Puducherry, while in Chennai, Salem, Namakkal, and Pudukottai, only schools have been given a holiday.
Authorities are also monitoring rising water levels in major reservoirs. The Mettur Dam has reached full capacity, and the Vaigai Dam is nearing the same. In Kancheepuram, 295 cusecs of water are being released from the Chembarambakkam Reservoir as a precautionary measure to prevent flooding. A senior official said the discharge was “a preventive step to create space for heavy inflows so that waters can safely pass through Chennai without causing damage.”
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has deployed 12 IAS officers to oversee relief operations in the red-alert districts and instructed authorities to prepare relief camps, evacuate residents from low-lying zones, and ensure food and medical support. He has also ordered an expedited procurement of paddy and safe storage across delta districts. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin personally reviewed preparations, confirming that desilting work, relief centres, and community kitchens were ready. “We’ll also conduct special medical camps after the rains,” said Chengalpattu Collector D. Sneha.
Disaster management officials have mobilised boats, trucks, JCBs, tree cutters, and power infrastructure teams, with 51,639 lampposts and 1,849 transformers made ready to tackle potential outages. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on standby for emergency rescue operations.
Meanwhile, environmentalists have raised concerns that such extreme rainfall events are fast becoming the new normal under the impact of climate change, urging authorities to adopt sustainable urban planning and flood management. Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami has pressed the government to act on a “war footing” to prevent urban flooding, particularly in Chennai, where monsoon inundation remains a recurring challenge despite the expansion of the city’s stormwater drain network.
The IMD has forecast that heavy to very heavy rains will continue for at least the next three days, with isolated areas in Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Puducherry likely to experience extremely heavy spells. Other districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam, are also expected to face intense rainfall through Friday, keeping much of coastal Tamil Nadu under heightened alert.
As the state prepares for the next wave of monsoon fury, disaster management authorities urge residents to stay indoors, follow advisories, and remain vigilant against possible flash floods and power disruptions, as Tamil Nadu faces what could be one of its most intense rain spells this season.
