The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has forecast a significant increase in rainfall activity across Tamil Nadu starting Wednesday, May 14, with heavy showers expected to lash districts along the Western Ghats and interior regions for at least three consecutive days.
Until then, large parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to endure intense heat, with daytime temperatures remaining 2–3°C above normal. High humidity levels, especially in Chennai, are likely to add to public discomfort. A slight dip in temperatures is anticipated beginning Wednesday.
On Monday, Madurai airport recorded the highest temperature in the State at 41°C, while Erode and Karur Paramathi also crossed the 40°C mark, reflecting the prevailing heatwave conditions across several districts.
The RMC attributed the anticipated rainfall to pre-monsoon developments over the south Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
According to B. Amudha, Head (Additional In-Charge), RMC Chennai, cloud formation is intensifying over the south Arabian Sea, Maldives, Comorin area, south Bay of Bengal, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which may trigger showers across Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala.
Based on dynamic weather models, districts along the Western Ghats—including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Erode, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Salem, and Tiruvannamalai—are likely to experience heavy rainfall on May 14. Isolated showers may persist in Tirupattur and Krishnagiri through Thursday and Friday.
The RMC has predicted scattered rainfall across the State till May 18, accompanied by occasional thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph in some regions.
The Southwest Monsoon, expected to arrive over Kerala around May 27, is likely to further enhance rainfall activity in Tamil Nadu. Both cloud systems—over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal—will be closely monitored for signs of monsoon progression, Amudha added.
(With IANS inputs)