The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for 16 districts of Tamil Nadu for Wednesday and Thursday, following widespread showers that caused flooding, power outages, property damage and injuries in several parts of the state.
According to the IMD, heavy rainfall is likely in Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Theni, Tiruppur, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Dindigul, Kanniyakumari, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai districts over the next two days.
The weather department also said conditions remain favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala on Thursday.
The alert comes after heavy rain lashed multiple districts across Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, disrupting normal life in several areas.
In Namakkal district, rainwater entered the government hospital near the old bus stand in Rasipuram, forcing patients and attendants to move through knee-deep water. Waterlogging was also reported in the new bus stand market area, affecting business activity.
In Tirupattur district, hailstorms were reported in Ambur, Alangkuppam and Periyankuppam. Strong winds accompanying the rain uprooted trees at several locations. A Poovarasu tree fell on a house near the Nagalamman Temple in Vinnamangalam, while a large banyan tree collapsed onto the Dandu Mariamman Temple.
Tiruvannamalai district witnessed more than three hours of continuous rainfall in Arani, Savur, Kunnathur and Kamakkur, leading to power disruptions and affecting daily life. In Melnagar village, a tamarind tree fell on a moving mini-bus, injuring more than 10 passengers, including the driver.
Heavy showers were also recorded in Tiruppur, Erode, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Sivaganga and Dindigul districts. Several roads were inundated, while power supply was disrupted in parts of Madurai, including Mattuthavani, Periyar Bus Stand, Simmakkal, Melur, Thirumangalam and the airport area.
In the hill station of Kodaikanal, dense fog accompanied by light rain reduced visibility sharply across the town and major hill roads, creating near-nighttime conditions during daylight hours.
For Chennai, the IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies with the possibility of moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in isolated areas.
(IANS Inputs)
